Celtic’s European campaign finishes against Manchester City tonight – with Brendan Rodgers’ side certain to finish bottom of Group C.
With just two points from a possible 15 available, Celtic will consider this season’s Champions League journey – which culminates in tonight’s trip to Manchester City – a disappointment.
Regardless of the result this evening, Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys will finish bottom of Group C – without making too much of an impact in any of their five games to date.
However, perhaps the most pleasing performance from the Hoops came in the return fixture at Celtic Park in September – a 3-3 draw that saw Moussa Dembele score a double against Pep Guardiola’s City.
Ahead of the ultimate group fixture, Rodgers is without the injured left-sided duo of Kieran Tierney and winger Scott Sinclair due to injury – but will be encouraged by the return to availability of defender Erik Sviatchenko and forward Leigh Griffiths, after both missed the weekend’s 4-3 victory over Motherwell.
On-loan forward Patrick Roberts is eligible to face his parent club; meaning that Rodgers could deploy the 19-year-old alongside Tom Rogic and James Forrest – behind lone talisman Dembele.
In midfield, captain Scott Brown is likely to be partnered with Stuart Armstrong in Rodgers’ preferred double-pivot engine room.
The extended absence of Tierney means that Emilio Izaguirre’s run at left back continues. The Honduran is likely to be part of a back four, completed by Mikael Lustig at right back and a central defensive pairing of Jozo Simunovic, alongside either former City man Kolo Toure or the returning Sviatchenko.
Craig Gordon is expected to retain his place as goalkeeper.
Here is Celtic’s predicted line-up in full:
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