Celtic team news and Predicted XI vs Atalanta as Rodgers makes big midfield call

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Celtic fans are looking forward to the next Champions League fixture now that the top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership has been taken care of.

The 2-2 draw with Jimmy Thelin’s Dons keeps Celtic’s healthy lead over Rangers at the top of the league intact as Rodgers now looks to get his Champions League campaign back on track.

Celtic currently sit 20th in the table with three points knowing that getting a positive result against Atalanta will boost their chances of qualifying from the league phase for the first time since 2013.

So how will Brendan Rodgers set up his team and will there be any injury issues the Celtic boss needs to take into account before deciding his starting lineup against a Serie A side who are not taking the Hoops lightly?

Celtic Champions League team and injury news vs Atlanta, Daizen Maeda’s point to prove

There are no immediate injury concerns following Celtic’s draw with Aberdeen however, concerns still remain on whether Cameron Carter-Vickers will be fit as Rodgers had already ruled out Greg Taylor for the big Champions League fixture.

Kasper Schmeichel will take care of the gloves and Callum McGregor will continue to be the heartbeat of the Celtic midfield.

Daizen Maeda will look to build on his goal against Borussia Dortmund and atone for his mistake that led to Aberdeen’s equaliser at the weekend.

Kyogo Furuhashi has already spoken of his desire to face Atalanta and will start with Adam Idah offering firepower from the bench.

Paulo Bernardo drops to the Celtic bench vs Atlanta

With much of the Celtic team picking itself, Brendan Rodgers has one big call to make. Who starts alongside Callum McGregor? Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate or Arne Engels?

Here is 67 Hail Hail’s Predicted XI ahead of the Bergamo kick-off.

Reo Hatate is likely to get the nod ahead of Bernardo after the Portugal U21 captain was hooked at halftime against Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.

The Japanese will be buoyed this week after he scored for Celtic in the Aberdeen draw and his power in the heart of the Hoops midfield will be crucial.

Rodgers will have a strong bench to choose from if required but there is no doubt the Celtic boss faces a huge challenge ahead of him as he looks to avoid a repeat of the performance in Germany.