Team’s Up – Adam Idah starts, Arne Engels on Bench | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers has named his Celtic team to start against Kairat in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff at Celtic Park this evening.

Kasper Schmeichel in control as Leighton Clarkson of Aberdeen stretches for the ball during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO).

The Celtic manager has been delighted with his side’s defensive work this season and there’s no surprise that Kasper Schmeichel will be in the Celtic goals ahead of a back four of Alistair Johnston at right back, Kieran Tierney at left back and a central defensive pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales.

Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly Reo Hatate of Celtic FC runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Image

In midfield the Celtic captain Callum McGregor is joined by Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren, who edges out Arne Engels despite the Belgium international’s MOTM showing against Falkirk in the League Cup last Friday night.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring Celtic’s first goal with James Forrest and Kieran Tierney during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Veteran winger James Forrest starts on the right wing while Celtic’s Japanese talisman Daizen Maeda play on the left wing. That means that Celtic’s £10m striker Adam Idah gets the nod at centre forward.

On the bench for Celtic this evening – Sinisalo, JSP, Trusty, Ralston, Murray, Engels, Bernardo, McCowan, Yang, Kenny and Shin.

Callum McGregor of Celtic applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kickoff is fast approaching at 8pm for what promises to be a memorable European night ata packed Paradise.

Remember we’re there to make some noise for the Bhoys!

COYBIG