Celtic take on Atalanta in Matchday Three of the Champions League, as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to get back on track on the European front.

After a solid 5-1 opening-day win over Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, Rodgers’ team were torn apart by Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, as they were beaten 7-1 in Germany on Matchday Two. On Wednesday, they come up against Atalanta, who have four points thus far in the competition. After drawing 0-0 with Arsenal at home, they defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 away in Gelsenkirchen, currently sitting 6th in the Serie A table domestically.

With all of that being said, who will Rodgers elect to start this game versus the current Europa League winners? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

The fixtures just do not get any easier for Celtic, do they?

Indeed, after that wild 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on Saturday, the levels will undoubtedly go up concerning opposition when Rodgers’ side take on Gian Piero Gasperini’s impressive Atalanta side. If I’m being perfectly honest, I’d bite your hand off for a draw right now!

Regardless of my slight pessimism concerning this game, Celtic will name the strongest team available to them on Wednesday in Italy. In goals, Kasper Schmeichel will remain in place, as he will expect another busy night ahead of him in the Champions League. If Celtic are to get anything from this game, then the Denmark legend will need to be on top of his game. Alex Valle – despite a mixed game on Saturday – will play at left-back in Greg Taylor’s absence, while Alistair Johnston will occupy the right-back slot. In the heart of defence, Liam Scales will play alongside Auston Trusty, as Cameron Carter-Vickers has not travelled for this one - to the disappointment of many.

In the midfield, captain Callum McGregor will remain in place, despite having a poor game on Saturday. Celtic need to make sure that he is well-protected – especially on the break – as he has been found wanting defensively at times already this season. Paulo Bernardo will return to the starting line-up in place of Reo Hatate, as Arne Engels will retain his place despite a mixed game at the weekend. The midfield has to step up in this game, as anything less will undoubtedly result in a similar scoreline to last time out in the Champions League. 

In the forward areas, Kyogo Furuhashi will lead the line versus Atalanta. At the moment, you would trust the Japan striker over Adam Idah to put away a big chance, though both have been wasteful in recent weeks. Nicolas Kuhn will play on the right, while Daizen Maeda will play on the left wing. Both will be key if Celtic are to get on the scoresheet, as well as keeping it tight at the back by tracking back from the wide areas.

This is going to be a tough night for the club, as they will have to suffer to get anything from this game. If they play to the best of their abilities, then who knows, but I’m not overly confident. Surprise me, Celtic!

Ryan’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

Tony Haggerty

The hits keep on coming for Celtic. It's Champions League Matchday Three The Italian Job. Mission impossible? Not quite. Mission improbable, perhaps.

Rodgers' men need to come up with some game plan to thwart last season's Europa League winners in the shape of Atalanta in the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo Can Celtic restore some of their battered European pride in Italy after a 7-1 mauling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Matchday Two?

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta has been the Cinderella and feelgood story of football in recent years and they have established themselves as credible performers on the European stage in recent years Celtic will need to show that they are a much better side than the one that was dismantled so easily in Dortmund.

Have Rodgers and his players learned any lessons from that humbling in Germany The levels are going up again after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership So who gets the nod to start in Bergamo?

Kasper Schmeichel will remain in situ and he can expect his hands to be warmed and tested severely once again. The Danish No.1 has to bring his 'A' game to the table. Spaniard Valle will continue at left-back in Greg Taylor’s absence through injury whilst Johnston will occupy the right-back berth. In the heart of defence, Scales will play alongside the American centre-back Trusty, as Carter-Vickers has stayed in Scotland ahead of this one.

In the midfield, captain McGregor will remain in place, despite his below-par display against the Dons. Bernardo will get the nod to return to the starting line-up in place of Hatate, with £11 million man Engels retaining his place despite a strong first-half performance but poor second-half display against Aberdeen.

In attack, Kyogo will lead the line versus Atalanta and he edges it over Idah. Kuhn will play on the right wing. The German could well be the key to any Celtic success as he has to be used as the out ball. Maeda will occupy the left wing. Both wide men will be vital for Celtic if they are to create scoring opportunities as well as their ability to retain possession and do a defensive shift.

Expectations were high in Dortmund that Celtic could get a result. Those ambitions were shattered and then some. The Scottish champions are travelling in hope than expectation this time. You can't extinguish hope. It's up to Celtic. once again to prove that they belong on this stage in this exalted elite-level company.

Tony's team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda