Celtic v Besiktas brings Václav Cerny back into the Parkhead conversation tomorrow, and I have not forgotten the water bottle. Nor have I forgotten how amusing Ally McCoist found it when Celtic supporters were on the receiving end.

First, the practical details. Celtic host Besiktas on Thursday, 5 November, with kick-off at 8pm GMT. UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports 3 or stream through HBO Max with TNT Sports access. TNT’s own guide confirms coverage begins at 7pm.

Martin O’Neill’s side need their first points after three Europa League defeats. That gives this night enough importance before we even consider the familiar faces coming with the visitors.

Celtic v Besiktas brings familiar faces

Yes, Cerny plays for Besiktas. Despite earlier injury concerns, the club’s official match record lists him in the starting side for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Kasimpasa. Tomorrow’s teams will confirm whether he features at Celtic Park.

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu also plays for the Turkish club, alongside former Ibrox club defender Ridvan Yilmaz. Oh provides the direct Celtic connection, while those two former rivals add another edge to the occasion.

However, Cerny carries a particular piece of baggage. On 16 March 2025, he sprayed water towards Celtic supporters while celebrating Hamza Igamane’s late winner in the Ibrox club’s 3-2 victory at Parkhead.

I thought it was obnoxious then. The passing of time has not made it clever.

The laughter Celtic supporters remember

McCoist’s reaction was revealing. TalkSPORT’s own report said its presenter “absolutely loved” Cerny’s actions and joked that he should receive a knighthood.

That is a specific example of a prominent broadcaster treating the incident as entertainment. It does not mean every journalist took the same view. Nevertheless, supporters who disliked the stunt had good reason to dislike that reaction too.

Brendan Rodgers offered a rather different assessment at the time. STV reported his criticism: “I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do that.”

Exactly. Celebrating a winning goal is one thing. Spraying opposition supporters with water is a choice beyond the celebration itself.

The outcome also belongs in the story. Police Scotland investigated and took no further action. The Scottish FA subsequently issued Cerny a formal warning about his future conduct. There was scrutiny, therefore, even while McCoist was enjoying the joke.

Would the joke survive a Celtic shirt?

Now reverse the shirts. Picture a Celtic player spraying supporters at Ibrox after a late winner. Would McCoist be laughing and discussing a knighthood? I struggle to believe it.

My suspicion is that we would hear demands for punishment and perhaps even arrest. That is my judgement about the likely reaction, rather than something anyone can prove about an incident that never happened.

As with our questions about supporter treatment at Easter Road, respect should remain central. Fans should not become props for a player’s celebration or a broadcaster’s amusement.

Meanwhile, O’Neill has football decisions to make, including the management of returning players we discussed in our recent Jota piece. None of those decisions should revolve around settling a score with Cerny.

Beat his team. Take the points. Give our supporters the last laugh through the football. That would be a celebration worth watching.

Key takeaways

• Celtic v Besiktas takes place on Thursday, 5 November, at 8pm GMT.
• UK coverage starts at 7pm on TNT Sports 3 and HBO Max.
• Cerny started on Sunday; his selection tomorrow remains unconfirmed.