Celtic face the task of troubling Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park as Brendan Rodgers’ side bid to make some valuable strides in the Champions League campaign.
Making an ideal start in the new Swiss-style format, the Bhoys disposed of Slovan Bratislava 5-1 to ramp up optimism that progression of some form could be on the cards.
Nevertheless, the trip to Germany is the start of a tough Celtic Champions League fixture run, with clashes against Atalanta and RB Leipzig on the other side of the clash in Dortmund.
Points are paramount at the top table; there is no disputing that. Although you could argue the Scottish Premiership holders came out on the gentler side of the draw, everyone is aware that some stiff tests lie ahead if progression is to become a viable option.
Brendan Rodgers has a lot to ponder with Dortmund fast approaching, but his feelings ahead of Celtic’s kick-off in North Rhine-Westphalia are well worth contextualization.
Brendan Rodgers dissects Celtic’s clash against Dortmund
Speaking via Celtic’s YouTube channel in his pre-match press conference, Rodgers laid out his priorities ahead of facing Dortmund and is confident his side can put in a dogged display that encompasses both sides of the game.
When asked if the fixture would act as an acid test, he stated: “I think this level is about as much about the head as it is about the skill. I don’t doubt that with this team.”
Continuing, Rodgers said: “For us, it’s looking to bring our game to the next level. The way we’ve been performing over the past six or seven months has just been increasing and we come to this level.
“We’re under no illusions that we’re coming up against a team that’s challenging at the very top end of elite football but for us I’ve always said that it’s about making us a really, really difficult team to play against, with and without the ball.
“That’s what we’re aiming to do. I’m not looking for perfection. I’m just looking for us to be really, really difficult to play against and give everything that we have.
“And to bring our game, which is to press, to fight, to run. We know at times that quality drives you back and it’s about having resilience in those moments.
“We also know that we have a game that can hurt teams with our football and our speed. So I’m really excited about seeing that.”
The key selection calls for Celtic at Signal Iduna Park
Time is speedily passing by as Celtic edge closer to their Champions League meeting with Dortmund, but the manager has some key selection calls to make ahead of kick-off.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is injured and hasn’t made the plane to Germany, so you would assume Auston Trusty will start for the Bhoys alongside Liam Scales in central defence.
Midfield selections will also come under the microscope. Still, in-form Celtic man Paulo Bernardo may get the nod over Reo Hatate to support Callum McGregor and Arne Engels in the engine room.
Finally, the frontline picks itself. Despite Adam Idah’s goal surge, Kyogo Furuhashi is likely to start and will be flanked by Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda. Could Rodgers spring a surprise? Time will tell.
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