Having not played Livingston at the weekend due to the postponement of football fixtures at the weekend this will be Celtic’s first game in just over a week.

In matchday one of the Champions League, the Scottish champions went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid and put in a performance that the team could be proud of.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group H – Celtic v Real Madrid – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 6, 2022
Celtic’s Callum McGregor with teammates look dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Lessons will have been learned from that game with the Hoops failing to take some big chances during the 90 minutes against Los Blancos last week in Glasgow.

This will be Celtic’s first game on the road in Europe this season with a visit to Stadion Wojska Polskiego in the Polish capital to take on Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Ukrainian club will play all of their Champions League matches in Poland due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

There isn’t likely to be any changes for Ange Postecoglou’s side in defence with all players who started to against Real Madrid likely to get the nod.

Carl Starfelt will still not be in the team due to an injury which he picked up in Celtic’s last league match.

Celtic’s midfield received huge praise after the performance against Real Madrid with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley all putting in top performances.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group H – Celtic v Real Madrid – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 6, 2022
Celtic’s Callum McGregor reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

There had previously been a suggestion that Postecoglou may look to switch to a more defensive midfield for European matches but going off last week’s performance the former Socceroos boss will likely stick to the same midfield three.

Up top for Celtic there could be some changes. Kyogo did not start in matchday one of the competition but did come on as a substitute. The Japanese international gives the team something completely different from Giorgos Giakoumakis who did himself no harm last week.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group H – Celtic v Real Madrid – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 6, 2022
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Kyogo will press really high and will look to get forward at any given opportunity. Jota is also likely to retain his place in Celtic’s forward line with the only other question mark being beside the other winger.

Liel Abada had to start against Real Madrid after his performance in the derby game but the occasion might of just bene too much for the young winger who was subbed off at half-time for Daizen Maeda.

The forward line of Jota, Kyogo and Abada had success for Celtic in Europe last season with the goal threat of each meaning that Postecoglou may be once again tempted to give Abada the nod.

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