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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
James Delaney

Lille boss makes Celtic Timothy Weah call as ex-Hoops favourite set to star in Europa League clash

Former Celtic star Timothy Weah is set to start for Lille when the French side arrive at Parkhead in Europa League action on Thursday.

The American forward spent a loan spell at the Hoops under Neil Lennon, lifting the Scottish Premiership title in 2018 after joining from Paris Saint Germain.

The 22-year-old looked back on his time at Celtic Park fondly in his pre-match press conference, but there will be little room for sentiment when Lille arrive in Glasgow's East End as the Ligue 1 side target the win that will take them through to the last 32 of the competition.

Weah - the son of Liberian icon George - is yet to find the net for the club this season, but manager Christophe Galtier revealed his recent performances have merited a place in the starting XI.

Speaking in his own pre-match media duties, the 54-year-old insisted the decision to play the forward was not motivated by his previous time at the club.

Weah scored three times in 17 appearances for the Parkhead outfit, but Galtier said that did not factor in to his team selection.

He said: “Is it the fact that we are facing Celtic, one of his former clubs, which encourages me to start him? No.

“It is his current form which prompts me to hand him a start."

Galtier added: “He has great presence of mind and is a well-educated boy, who probably also receives good advice from his dad.”

Celtic sit bottom of Group H with just a single point from their five games - gained away in France in October.

Lille will advance to the knockout stages regardless of the result from Celtic Park, but can pip AC Milan to first place with a win.

The Italian side face Sparta Prague in the Czech capital in the group's other fixture.

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