Martin O'Neill has managed to stabilise Celtic's domestic season since taking the reins back from Wilfried Nancy but faces a daunting task back on Europa League business away to Bologna.
The 73-year-old was a hit in his first spell as interim boss, claiming seven wins out of eight, including a 3-1 European triumph on the road against Feyenoord.
He has since racked up three more domestic wins after Nancy's shambolic reign but his only defeat across both spells came on the continent, with the Hoops outclassed in a 3-1 loss to Midtjylland.
The currently sit 24th, in the final qualifying slot, and will need to win at least one of their final two games to stand a chance.
Bologna are probably already through, with the Serie A side banking 11 points from their six games, but will be keen to stay on track for automatic qualification to the last 16.
With this game followed by a clash away from home with Macabbi Tel Aviv, Bologna have an excellent chance of breaking into the top eight.
But they will need to improve their form, with Vincenzo Italiano's men winning just once in their last seven games.
How the bookies view it: Bologna to get back on track
Celtic have been poor in their last two games and are outsiders in Italy at a best 11/2 with Paddy Power. Bologna are 1/2 favourites with most firms and the draw pays 7/2 art Ladbrokes.
Head to head: Hoops can't take much Heart
These sides have never faced off before in Europe but Bologna did take on Scottish opposition in the shape of Hearts back in the 1990/91 UEFA Cup.
They beat the Jambos 3-0 on home soil and that helped the Serie A progress 4-3 on aggregate after a 3-1 loss at Tynecastle.
Players to watch: Castro's a threat
Santiago Castro should lead the line for Bologna and the young Argentinian could get some joy against Celtic's defence. He's 8/5 at Unibet for anytime scorer which looks good value if he starts.
Daizen Maeda got a weekend breather when Celtic saw off Auchinleck in the Scottish Cup and should be fresh for the fight here. The Japanese international is 18/5 at Ladbrokes for a goal.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Probable line-ups
Celtic remain without key men Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Alistair Johnston while this game will probably come too soon for Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.
Bologna are without Jhon Lucumi and Fernando Bernardeschi while Martin Vitik is a doubt.
Bologna: Ravaglia, Holm, Heggem, Miranda, Casale, Ferguson, Orsolini, Freuler, Odgaard, Dominguez, Castro.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston, Scales, Trusty, Tierney, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Tounetki, Yang, Maeda.
- Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic's squad remains desperately short on quality and fans are growing increasingly angry with their club's lack of activity in the January transfer window.
Although Bologna are in poor form, they still look a cut above this Hoops side and backing them to be winning at half-time and full-time boosts their odds to 13/10 at Bet365.
William Hill are offering the same odds on the Italian side scoring in each half and that's another bet that looks decent value,
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson hasn't been a regular in the Bologna side this season but could be unleashed from the start here. The boyhood Rangers fan won't hold back and is just 1/2 at Paddy Power for over 1.5 fouls.
That's not great value but if you double it up with the same bet for Celtic pressing machine Maeda it boosts the odds to 17/10.
GambleAware