Hatate problem, Engels dilemma and £5.5m wildcard – How Celtic will line up for Champions League opener

It's set to be a blockbuster night at Celtic Park as the Hoops take on Slovan Bratislava

Celtic are looking to make their mark on the Champions League this season - with the revamped format giving Brendan Rodgers the chance to eye the knockout rounds.

Rodgers has admitted it's the most confident he has felt in the Hoops' squad going into the group stage - but that doesn't make it any easier for the boss as he faces some big calls going into the opening clash with Slovan Bratislava. With a kind fixture list in the league phase, a win over the Slovakian champions would set the Scottish Premiership leaders up perfectly for a push at the top 24 spots and a play-off position.

The big questions come in midfield for the Celtic boss. Arne Engels caught the eye during his first start for the club following his record-breaking £11m deadline day arrival - netting from the penalty spot in the win over Hearts. He came into the line-up for Paulo Bernardo, after he was a surprising absentee from the XI having been key in the midfield for the win over Rangers.

The Celtic midfield puzzle is one that Rodgers now has to solve - so could ever-present Reo Hatate drop out to shake up the engine room? The 26-year-old has faced some criticism over his early season displays, giving Rodgers another dilemma to ponder.

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The wingers could also come into the thinking of Rodgers. Nicolas Kuhn took his time to adjust to Celtic after his £3m move in January - but has been the go-to man on the right flank so far this term. But could experience come into the side, with James Forrest earning a recall?

At the back, Liam Scales has kept his place in the heart of the defence despite Auston Trusty's big-money arrival in the summer. The £5.5m could get the nod at centre-back ahead of the Ireland international.

Predicted starting XI

Celtic squad in full

Goalkeepers

Kasper Schmeichel

Viljami Sinisalo

Scott Bain

Defenders

Alistair Johnston

Greg Taylor

Liam Scales

Auston Trusty

Alex Valle

Maik Nawrocki

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Anthony Ralston

Stephen Welsh

Midfielders

Reo Hatate

Luis Palma

Nicolas Kuhn

Yang Hyun-jun

Luke McCowan

Arne Engels

Paulo Bernardo

Callum McGregor

James Forrest

Adam Montgomery

Forwards

Kyogo Furuhashi

Adam Idah

Daizen Maeda

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