Celtic take on Astana in the Champions League this evening.
Celtic starting line-up: Gordon; Lustig, Simunovic, Bitton, Tierney; Ntcham, Brown, Rogic; Sinclair, Griffiths, Forrest.
Celtic substitutes: de Vries, Armstrong, Benyu, McGregor, Ralston, Ajer, Miller.
Celtic are back in Champions League action this evening as they host Kazakhstani outfit Astana at Celtic Park as they bid to reach the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
The Bhoys have made a bright start to their league campaign, winning each of their two league contests whilst also advancing through the Champions League qualifying rounds with wins over Linfield and Rosenborg.
Tonight, Celtic will be hoping to claim a first leg win over Astana to set them up well for their second leg in Kazakhstan later this month, and manager Brendan Rodgers has named a strong side for this evening’s Champions League play-off clash.
Craig Gordon continues in goal, whilst midfielder Nir Bitton partners Jozo Simunovic in the heart of defence, with Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney in at the full back positions.
Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Tom Rogic will play in the centre of midfield, with Scott Sinclair and James Forrest called upon to support lone striker Leigh Griffiths from wide areas.
Stuart Armstrong is only on the bench amid speculation over his future and some below-par performances, alongside the likes of Callum McGregor and backup goalkeeper Dorus de Vries.
Youngsters Anthony Ralston, Kundai Benyu, Kristoffer Ajer and Calvin MIller are also on the bench, with Rodgers hoping for a positive result this evening.
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