It’s almost go time in the Champions League as Celtic face Young Boys at Parkhead.
Brendan Rodgers knows what is at stake this evening with Aston Villa still to come next week.
Unai Emery’s side were left stung by AS Monaco last night after the manager issued the Hoops a warning before his side’s kick-off in France yesterday.
The game down south next Wednesday may not matter much if Celts can do the business against their Swiss opponents tonight and that is where all focus will be.
Captain Callum McGregor does not want to be a “nearly team” in this competition and he has demanded attention from his teammates on Young Boys whose manager Giorgio Contini issued a word of caution to Celtic in midweek.
- Celtic starting XI: SCHMEICHEL, JOHNSTON, CCV, TRUSTY, TAYLOR, MCGREGOR, ENGELS, HATATE, DAIZEN, KUHN, KYOGO.
- Subs: SINISALO, BAIN, SCALES, PALMA, IDAH, VALLE, YANG, MCCOWAN, NAWROCKI, BERNARDO, MURRAY, RALSTON.
Celtic starting XI vs Young Boys confirmed
And it was a note that Rodgers did not take lightly as he named his starting XI with as strong a squad as possible.
Kasper Schmeichel caps off his new contract with a start while at the back there’s a spot for the redeemed Auston Trusty and Greg Taylor on the left.
Midfield sees McGregor partnered by Arne Engels and Reo Hatate with Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn the danger men on the wings.
Up top it is Kyogo ahead of Adam Idah.
Interestingly, Maik Nawrocki is on the bench for the first time in a while.
Now the supporters have had their say on the decisions made by manager Rodgers with the majority coming from a positive space.
How fans reacted to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic selections
One said: “Picks itself, win!” as another commented: “Into them from the start!”
One wrote on social media: “Give them hell Celtic,” as a fourth wrote: “Come on you Bhoys in green!”
Some had their usual complaints about Taylor and now others have questioned Reo Hatate’s inclusion over Luke McCowan.
One wrote: “Hatate over McCowan is terrible,” as one added: “Please win and if Hatate is having the same form as last few weeks hook him after 20 mins please”.
One fan said: “Nawrocki finally!”
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