On-loan Celtic duo Conor Hazard and Albian Ajeti suffered mixed success as they kicked off their Europa League group stage campaign.
Having left Celtic to join HJK Helsinki and Sturm Graz, respectively, for the season ahead, both players will also be featuring in European competition in 2022.
With the Europa League group stages also kick-starting on Thursday evening, Hazard and Ajeti were involved in their side’s opening fixtures against Real Betis and Midtjylland.
First up, Conor Hazard started between the sticks for the Finnish champions as they took on Spanish side Real Betis.
Of course, Betis are a familiar foe of Celtic’s, having faced Ange Postecoglou’s side during last campaign’s Europa League.
The Northern Irishman didn’t quite enjoy as much success as his parent side on home soil, with Betis running out 2-0 winners and going straight to the top of the group.
It will come as a frustration to Helsinki, who will be keen to land as many points as possible at home after being drawn in a tough group which also includes Ludogorets and Roma.
Next week, Hazard will travel to Italy to take on Jose Mourinho’s Roma side in what should be a brilliant occasion for the 24-year-old shot-stopper.
As mentioned, he wasn’t the only on-loan Celtic man involved in the Europa League last night, with Albian Ajeti also making an appearance for Sturm Graz.
The Swiss striker joined the Austrians on the final day of the transfer window and will now be looking to help fire them to the knockout rounds in Europe.
The group stages started off strongly for Sturm Graz, who picked up three points in a 1-0 win over another familiar European foe of Celtic’s, FC Midtjylland.
Ajeti came off the bench with 20 minutes to play in the same, and with his side already one goal up. The frontman went on to help secure all three points, despite seeing his team go down to 10 men.
Last night marked Ajeti’s second appearance for the club, with both coming off the bench. He will be hoping to make his first start before the trip to take on Feyenoord in Holland next week.
Both Hazard and Ajeti have failed to make the mark at Celtic. So, playing regularly on loan and on the European stage should provide them with a good opportunity to show how effective they can be elsewhere.
Whilst it might not have worked out at Parkhead, no one would hope to see either player fail, and hopefully, this opportunity allows them to kick on.
In other news, “I’m just grateful” – Jota shares his feelings after experiencing UCL Celtic Park atmosphere.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
