Defensive absences, midfield call; Celtic team news and Predicted XI for Feyenoord test

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Celtic end their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign with a home match against Feyenoord tonight.

It’s fair to say Group E hasn’t gone well for the Bhoys. Brendan Rodgers’ side are already out of the tournament and can’t secure a parachute into the Europa League either.

Tonight’s match is all about pride, securing a long overdue home win at this level of competition and banking a couple of million pounds in prize money.

Rodgers is expected to name a strong side regardless of the circumstances. Celtic are in the midst of a heavy league schedule but tonight’s game will be a chance for some misfiring regulars to find form.

What team will he go with? Here’s our best go at tonight’s eleven.

Potential Celtic team vs Feyenoord

Joe Hart will continue in goal despite some question marks over his form for Celtic this season. None of the other goalkeepers at Celtic look ready to challenge him and it’ll likely take a new signing to replace his contributions.

In defence, Cameron Carter-Vickers has been ruled out despite training with the team this week. He’ll be rested for the upcoming match at home to Hearts.

Maik Nawrocki is not registered with UEFA and Gustaf Lagerbielke hasn’t managed to get ahead of Nat Phillips nor Liam Scales. Hence, the latter duo look likely to continue their partnership despite a difficult weekend away to Kilmarnock.

Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor are expected to feature on each side.

In midfield, Rodgers has often preferred Paulo Bernardo as a midfield option in the Champions League but there’s no reason to dislodge Tomoki Iwata for now, with Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley the strongest combination from the other players fit.

Reo Hatate is back on the grass at Lennoxtown but is not yet training with the team group.

Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda remain out so Rodgers’ options in attack are limited. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Luis Palma and Mikey Johnston continue on each wing as they get further chances to prove themselves in a Celtic shirt.

The manager has already confirmed Kyogo Furuhashi will be in his starting line-up this evening.

Your predicted line-up in full is: Hart, A Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor, Iwata, McGregor, O’Riley, M Johnston, Palma, Kyogo.