Celtic could take a significant step closer to Champions League progression tonight if they manage to overcome Club Brugge at Parkhead.
Following his side’s convincing victory over Heart of Midlothian, Brendan Rodgers has vowed to show the ‘power’ of Celtic Park on a night where his side could reach the ten-point mark.
Along similar lines, Club Brugge travel to Celtic after a 7-0 win vs Sint-Trudiense in the Belgian Pro League, so there is potential for a high-scoring affair on the slopes of Parkhead.
However, Brendan Rodgers has decisions to make in key areas to get the balance right against an opponent renowned for their counter-attacking prowess.
With that in mind, 67 Hail Hail take a look at who he could elect to start as the Champions League anthem sets the scene for another Celtic night in Europe with enormous permutations.
Potential Celtic XI vs Club Brugge
Yesterday, Rodgers made no point of highlighting any absentees to face Club Brugge, so it is safe to assume that Celtic have a clean bill of health for the tie.
Kasper Schmeichel was razor sharp between the sticks against Hearts last weekend and will keep his place, but who plays in front of him will be the main question.
In the cold light of day, it is hard to imagine the Irishman changing his recipe for success, meaning Alistair Johnston starts at right-back and works alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, who are becoming a familiar central defensive pairing for the Bhoys.
Alex Valle has been unfortunate to miss out for Celtic at left-back across recent matches. That trend will continue, and Greg Taylor will be tasked with using his experience to defy oncoming Brugge attackers.
Evaluating the engine room, Callum McGregor takes the armband in his deep-lying midfield role, while Reo Hatate joins him to provide a creative feel on an occasion where ingenuity will be needed to break down a stubborn opponent.
Arne Engels has been a go-to for Rodgers, but Paulo Bernardo is the standout prediction from this list. The Portugal Under-21 international has been unlucky not to start more this season and will land an opportunity to make a statement.
On either flank, Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda are expected to fight the good fight for Celtic after their electric starts to the campaign.
Despite Adam Idah’s brace against Hearts, Kyogo Furuhashi comes in to offer high pressing and intelligent runs in-behind, though expect plenty of alterations from the bench during proceedings.
Your predicted XI in full is: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.
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