Confirmed lineup for Celtic vs KR Reykjavik: Lennon goes strong, TV details, fans have their say

By John McGinley

August 18, 2020

Neil Lennon has named his team for tonight’s UEFA Champions League first qualifying round match against KR Reykjavik, as per the official club website.

The full match squad is as follows:

Starting XI – Barkas, Elhamed, Bitton, Jullien, Taylor, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Forrest, Elyounoussi, Edouard.

Substitutes – Bain, Ajeti, Klimala, Rogic, Ntcham, Frimpong, Ajer.

As expected, the manager has named a very strong team for the encounter, despite the disparity in stature between the Scottish champions and the 2019 Icelandic title winners.

Although a professional job needs to be done, there is little expectation of our visitors progressing tonight.

Indeed an Icelandic football expert told BBC Sportsound on Monday that they have no chance.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Still, Celtic need to turn up and produce a performance with the one-legged nature of the occasion ensuring there is no room for error or a sloppy display.

A place in the Champions League group stage would represent great progress from last year and give the Hoops a bit of financial breathing room, perhaps allowing us to invest in the squad more or keep our best players.

It’s the low key nights like these we need to be aware of that. This is no less important than a two-legged playoff, should we make it to that stage.

The winner of tonight’s tie will play Djurgardens or Ferencvaros in the next round.

Broadcast details

The match is live on the club’s ‘Pass to Paradise’ streaming system for season ticket holders, as well as Celtic TV to subscribers worldwide.

If you’re not involved there, the match is also live on Premier Sports 1 from 7:30pm, with kick-off at 7:45pm. You can subscribe via Sky, Virgin or the Premier website.

After a dramatic week off the pitch at Celtic, I can’t wait to see the Bhoys take to the field.

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Fan reaction

Lennon’s team has gone down well with plenty tonight. It’s hard to go wrong when we have star power like Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor on the pitch.

The fact Olivier Ntcham is on the bench has frustrated some but the quality we have ready to come into the team if the game isn’t going well is astounding.

These fans have been having their say on Lennon’s team selection, taking to Twitter this evening…