Celtic will be looking to cause a major scalp as they bring their Champions League campaign to a close against Real Madrid.
Ange Postecoglou's men head to the Spanish capital looking to get a first win of the group stages after two draws and three defeats to date. It is a free hit for the Scottish champions as they play in one of the best venues in world football against the current European champions - who need a result to ensure they finish top spot in Group A.
The big team news coming out of the Hoops camp is Cameron Carter-Vickers has not travelled with the Celtic squad after picking up a niggle from Sunday's Premiership clash against Livingston on the Tony Macaroni Arena astro. He has been filling in as captain while skipper Callum McGregor has been sidelined after he injured himself earlier in the European campaign. The USA international - dreaming of going to the World Cup - has been replaced by Carl Starfelt in a major boost as he returns to top team action.
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Speaking ahead of the Bernabeu clash, Postecoglou said: “I don’t think you ever play Real Madrid and don’t think it’s going to be a difficult game.
“I don’t think their recent results are really relevant to that. We are expecting a very difficult game because they have something to play for in the Champions League. We are expecting them to be at their best and we have to be at our best.
"I want to go out there with our group of guys and make sure they go out and measure themselves against one of the very best clubs in the world and see how we go. It’s one of the iconic stadiums in the world.
"I think, even if you ask the Real Madrid players, they will tell you about the atmosphere we create at Celtic Park. It’s always a memorable game, a great experience and we are looking forward to it for our club as well. We haven’t played against Real here for a very long time, so for our football club we want to make sure we give our supporters something to be proud of.”
REAL MADRID XI: Courtois, Carvajal, E. Militao, Alaba, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Valverde, Vini JR, Rodrygo, F. Mendy
Subs: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Vallejo, Nacho, Benzema, Camavinga, Odriozola, Lucas V, Ceballos, Rudiger, Mariano.
CELTIC XI: Hart, Juranovic, Janz, Starfelt, O'Riley, Hatate, Mooy, Abada, Maeda, Kyogo
Subs: Bain, Siegrist, Giakoumakis, Haksabanovic, Turnbull, McCarthy, Jota, Bernabei, Abildgaard, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh.
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