It’s got to be the same starting XI for Celtic tonight as it was on Sunday against Hearts in what was unquestionably the best performance of the season from Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side…

And on that form Celtic can go into tonight’s Champions League match against group leaders Atletico Madrid and secure a first Champions League win at Celtic Park in a decade. And if you are asking for a prediction we think that the Bhoys will do out this evening and at the same time avenge the events on this ground in 1974 when Atletico Madrid disgraced the Beautiful Game.

So a scoreline of Celtic 2 Atletico Madrid 0 would be celebrated wildly by the Celtic support at the game and watching around the world and you can use this free bet no deposit required for UK players to make tonight’s game even more interesting than it already is.

Tonight’s Celtic side picks itself for me. That would of course be the same starting XI that was tasked with facing Hearts on Sunday.

That means the Celtic team will be Joe Hart in goals, a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor; in the middle of the park the Celtic captain Callum McGregor will be joined by man of the moment Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate; and the from three will be Luis Palma, Kyogo and Daizen Maeda.

Granted Atletico will be a totally different ball game from a  below-par Hearts side, but that was perhaps a consequence of the quick start Celtic made and that wonderful early goal from O’Riley which resulted in Hearts falling behind and failing to get a foothold in the game at any stage.

Celtic made them look poor, such was our slick play and ruthlessness. Brendan has got us well organised and his stamp on the side is beginning to show. Tonight it makes sense to stick with that same side, and I’m 99 percent certain Brendan is of the same opinion. Barring any last minute injury’s I’m confident it will be the same side who take to the field tonight.

Two men will be vital if Celtic are to be successful this evening are Cameron Carter Vickers and Kyogo. We look more assured at the back and that’s got a lot to do with the return of our Big Strong Man. He is now fully fit and his presence against Atletico will be vital tonight.

Celtic have got to keep it tight at the back and be one hundred percent focused as Atletico will punish any mistakes. Having the big man at the centre of our defence tonight will make us more secure.

Atletico are also known for being a solid defensive unit so chances for us could be few and far between. They are likely to use a low block, so Celtic will be invited to come onto them before they try to counter attack and they have been doing that in devastating fashion this season, taking their city rivals Real Madrid apart playing this way.

That’s what makes Kyogo all the vital to our plans. The wee man more often than not capitalises on any chances that come his way. The Lazio game was proof he can compete at this level. He will be vital if we are to take anything from tonight’s game. Let’s hope every single one of them have a superb game and we’re celebrating three points later this evening to put us right back in with a shout in this difficult group.

What they’re saying about the game…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Celtic left-back Greg Taylor spoke to the media yesterday afternoon ahead of tonight’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park. The match is a 60,000 capacity sell-out and the atmosphere is certainly to be just about the best in Europe anywhere this season.

“We know at this level we have to bring our A-game to be in with a chance of getting a result. We can’t just give away the ball in normal games as this is a team who are far too experienced for that with a manager who is far too experienced for that and the level they are at.

“They have world-class players. They are used to winning the biggest prizes so they know the level and they are really comfortable at the level. So, for us, we have to do more to get the result. We are ready for that and we are in a good place as a team and a squad. We know we are going to continually improve, hopefully this game can be another catalyst for our improvement,” Brendan Rodgers said as he looked ahead to tonight’s match.

Greg Taylor remains positive about Celtic’s chances despite the two defeats against Feyenoord in Rotterdam and Lazio at Celtic Park and believes that Celtic are due a slice of luck and are more than capable of picking up the three points against probably the toughest opponent of the three in this challenging Champions League Group E.

“We know it is one of the world’s best teams so it is an exciting opportunity for us to go and get a positive result.

“At Celtic Park it’s such a unique atmosphere especially on a Champions League night and we aim to give what the fans give us and that is a result to match the performance.

“I think it is just the small details. We have all spoken about this at great length and we know you get punished for slight mistakes and equally, we want to try and play our football. We want to get on the ball and create as many chances. It is at home and it will all be about doing those two things.”

Three Things to look out for 

1. Celtic supporters will show their solidarity for the people of Palestine this evening ahead of the match by displaying the Palestine flag. This is an initiative by the ultras group The Green Brigade who upset many Celtic supporters with their banner at the previous home match against Kilmarnock.  Any similar banner displayed this evening, as The Celtic Star reported last night, is likely to lead to a ban.

2.  And there is a second risk for the Green Brigade as UEFA tire of attempting to resolve the North Curve using pyrotechnics in European matches at Celtic Park and also at away grounds. Celtic have been fined for the pyros let off in Rotterdam on match day one against Feyenoord and another fine is income for the same issue at the recent match against Lazio at Celtic Park.  A similar display this evening could result in a closure of the North Curve for the final home match against the Dutch Champions on Wednesday 13 December.

3.  Atletico Madrid shamed football at Celtic Park in the first leg of the European Cup semi-final in April 1974, in probably the most disgraceful performance from any side ever in the European Cup or as it’s now called The Champions League. And while this all happened nearly fifty years ago and should be only of historical interest, the Spanish side have added fuel to the fire by wearing a shirt tonight in tribute to that team of ANIMALS and by actually bringing two of them along with their official party travelling to Scotland.

And incredibly their captain from 1974 has blamed Celtic winger Jimmy Johnstone – voted by the Celtic support as our Greatest Ever player – for causing the trouble despite being violently assaulted all night by a team of thugs, who had three sent off and the rest booked. Johnstone was told that he would be SHOT at the second leg in Madrid. ANIMALS.

READ THIS...The spectre of Atletico Madrid, 1974 still reeks of disgrace