Celtic’s next big Champions League challenge comes in the shape of Atalanta as Brendan Rodgers looks to get his campaign back on track.
With one win and one defeat, Celtic are probably where they thought they would be in the Champions League heading into the game against the current Europa League holders.
Whilst it seems that Atalanta is not taking Celtic lightly, Rodgers knows he cannot afford another result that the Hoops suffered in Dortmund but Kyogo Furuhashi sounds bullish as he takes aim at the Italians ahead of Wednesday’s big game.
Celtic hero Kyogo itching ‘to beat’ Atlanta’s defence
The Japanese international striker is famous for his blistering pace and said he is looking forward to pitting himself against the Atalanta defence to get a result for Celtic.
Kyogo told the Daily Record, “I’m looking forward to beat such a defensive style if I play. Obviously, I will try to enjoy it and see how much I can perform against this kind of team.
“Individually, definitely, I will have the chances, even though we play against a tough opponent, so I just have to be prepared to put the balls into the net, or at least I try to get the shots on target.
“And, as a team, we have to work collectively, whoever is playing from the first minute, whoever is coming on from the bench, we have to share the same ideas, we have to work on it and try to get the result.”
Kyogo and Callum McGregor over Aberdeen result and ‘focus’ on Celtic vs Atalanta
As the fallout over the Aberdeen result continues, Kyogo and Celtic captain Callum McGregor have put the game behind them and have said that the team’s focus is now 100% on the Champions League fixture against Atalanta.
Kyogo continued, “I think that’s right. We have to keep showing ourselves on the pitch. We obviously wanted to win the game, but it was a difficult match and we ended up drawing. We just have to focus on the next match.”
McGregor said, “We have to dust ourselves down and we have a big game during the week. It’s disappointing in terms of not taking three points, but in the grand scheme of things, where we are is fine and we’ll get the points back.
“Our focus now changes to Wednesday.”
Keen to avoid the same result Celtic suffered at the hands of Dortmund, Rodgers won’t feel as if a result against Atalanta is beyond his team.
Celtic have had success against Serie A teams both at home and Italy in Europe and although the task ahead will be difficult, Hoops fans will still believe that a positive result against Atalanta is achievable.
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