Team’s Up – Abada and Kyogo both start against AZ Alkmaar for goal-hungry Celtic

Ange Postecoglou has named his strongest possible side from the squad that travelled to Holland yesterday afternoon for this evening’s Europa League Play-off round second leg tie against the third best team in The Netherlands, AK Alkmaar.

Celtic will however show tonight’s hosts much more respect than some bitter Scottish hack upset that Celtic were able to build a useful 2-0 lead to take into tonight’s second leg against what is a very decent Dutch side.

Ange told us straight yesterday that he had no intention of trying to sit on that 2-0 lead and try to his word his side is clearly set up to attack and look to continue to trouble AZ Alkmaar who perhaps last week underestimated the quality in this Celtic side. They will not make the same mistake twice so it should be some football match!

Joe Hart is in goals and what a difference he makes to Celtic! The back four is settled and will be looking for a third consecutive clean sheet. Anthony Ralston may have been overlooked by Steve Clarke but he starts as usual at right back and on the other side of the park Greg Taylor is in his usual spot and he’ll be away with Scotland after this weekend’s trip to The Den of No Equity.

Stephen Welsh and Carl Starfelt are the central defenders in the Celtic side this evening.

With no James Forrest or James McCarthy available the options for Celtic’s Australian manager were reduced somewhat further up the field but captain Callum McGregor starts alongside Tom Rogic and David Turnbull in the central area with Ryan Christie and Liel Abada out wide. Kyogo Furuhashi leads the line.

On the bench Celtic have Bartas, Bain, Bitton, Ajeti Soro, Edouard, Bolingoli Montgomery, Urhoghide, Shaw and Robertson..