How will Brendan Rodgers line Celtic up to face Atlético Madrid?

Celtic will face the toughest test of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign tonight when they welcome the visit of Spanish giants Atlético Madrid to Celtic Park.

Atleti currently sit 4th in La Liga but are on a run of six consecutive wins including a 3-1 defeat of city rivals Real. They also currently sit at the summit of the Champions League group, level on points with Lazio, after a 3-2 win over Feyenoord in Madrid on matchday 2.

Celtic will be looking to rise to the occasion and will be encouraged by their recent domestic exploits, negotiating their way through a tricky run of away fixtures unscathed.

Here is A Celtic State of Mind’s team prediction for tonight’s big European test:

GK – Joe Hart

The English stopper will be a busy man tonight. After many accused him of being at fault for Lazio’s equaliser, a top performance will be needed from Hart if Celtic are to have any chance of snatching something from the game.

RB – Alistair Johnston

The Canadian had a tough time of it against Lazio’s electric winger Mattia Zacagni last time out, but if he can turn in a similar performance to his display in Rotterdam on matchday 1 then it will stand him in good stead against the Spaniards.

CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers

The last time we saw Carter-Vickers playing in the Champions League, he made a costly error against Lazio that ultimately led to Pedro’s late winner. That can be placed down to match sharpness, with the American looking back to his best again at the weekend.

CB – Liam Scales

Scales has been one of the big surprises from the group stage campaign so far, with the Irishman not looking out of place at one moment in Europe’s premier competition. He is yet to put a foot wrong since nailing down that starting role and he will need to maintain those high performance levels against Diego Simeone’s men.

LB – Greg Taylor

Taylor will be vital against Atlético Madrid, offering passing options for Celtic’s back-line as well as the front-line as he continues to return to his inverted full-back role.

CM – Callum McGregor

After a lacklustre performance in Rotterdam against Feyenoord, McGregor looked closer to his best against Lazio and was one of the standout performers in green and white on the night.

CM – Reo Hatate

Fans haven’t seen the best of Reo Hatate this season in the Champions League, which is surprising considering how impressive he was in last season’s competition. Hatate will be expected to raise his game and provide the creative spark needed to unlock the always organised Atleti defence.

CM – Matt O’Riley

The Dane was rewarded for his impressive start to the season with a first ever call-up to the Danish national team. He has stated his intentions to make their squad for the 2024 European Championships in Germany, and performing to a high standard in games like this will be exactly what catches the eyes of Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand.

RW – Daizen Maeda

Maeda was a constant threat against Lazio last time out, but he will need to be more clinical in front of goal as chances are going to be at a premium against a team of Atlético Madrid’s quality.

ST – Kyogo Furuhashi

The Japanese forward finally broke his Champions League goalscoring duck against Lazio with a well taken finish. More of the same will be needed from Kyogo if Celtic are to compete with the Spaniards tonight.

LW – Luis Palma

The Honduran made a big impact from the bench last time out, constantly causing problems for the Lazio defence and was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet twice, once being denied by a phenomenal last-ditch sliding challenge and denied for a second time by VAR.

JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE