Greg Taylor Starts, As Hampden Heroes Set For RB Leipzig Test

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed his Hoops starting 11 to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League at Celtic Park tonight.

Coming off the back of a 6-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday night at Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, Rodgers has the Bhoys playing arguably the best Football in recent memory, which is highly impressive considering their expansive style of Football under Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers during his first spell at the club.

With Auston Trusty starting over Liam Scales, and Alex Valle over Greg Taylor at Hampden, it will be interesting to see if Rodgers goes with the same defence, especially given the convincing nature of the victory at the national stadium on Saturday against an in-form Aberdeen.

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Kasper Schmeichel starts in goal in what will be a huge night for the Danish goalkeeper, with his blend of shot-stopping ability and build up play as a keeper vital on a night like tonight.

Alistair Johnston retains his place at right-back, with the Canadian defender in the form of his life.

The question is whether he can transform his domestic attacking brilliance into an all out display, both going forward and in handling the dangerous Leipzig attack.

Cameron Carter-Vickers partners Auston Trusty at the heart of defence in a partnership made in the USA.

With Carter-Vickers scoring the first goal on Saturday, he will be keen to keep improving his set-piece contributions, complementing his outstanding defending and ability to play out from the back.

Auston Trusty is now slightly favoured over Scales, with his pace giving him an edge over the Irishman.

Like Johnston, Trusty appears to be in the form of his life.

Greg Taylor returns to the side, having started against Dundee six days ago at Celtic Park, a telling sign that he will retain his place as the club’s first-choice left-back over Alex Valle.

Callum McGregor starts at the heart of midfield, partnered by Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, with all three on top form against Aberdeen.

Engels’ set-piece delivery was certainly on point adding a new dimension to Celtic, as was Hatate’s passing and dribbling.

McGregor complemented both well from a slightly deeper role.

The Celtic skipper put in one of his very best displays in a Hoops shirt, in a role he has certainly stood out in over the last four years.

Nicolas Kuhn starts on the right wing, with the German bagging a goal and an assist at Hampden.

He looks to be reaching new heights at Celtic after a stop-start first six months at the club.

Daizen Maeda starts on the left, with the Japanese winger having the Game of his life against the Dons, bagging a hat trick and an assist.

He was by far the Hoops’ man of the match, and that’s some achievement considering the nature of the 6-0 win.

Up top, leading the line is Kyogo Furuhashi.

With the Japanese striker on the scoresheet at the weekend, he has faced criticism from some quarters this season but has quietly gone about his Business in what has arguably been hugely impressive, particularly in adapting to feature more in build-up play under Rodgers.

Kick-off for tonight’s Game is at 8pm, and it is live on TNT Sports 2.