Celtic Predicted XI: KR Reykjavik (H)

Celtic will finally return to action on Tuesday when they face KR Reykjavik in the Champions League first qualifying round at Celtic Park.

Unlike past seasons, this is a one-legged tie, meaning the stakes are raised and there is no margin for error.

By the time kick-off arrives, it’ll have been nine days since the Hoops were last in action due to the selfish and stupid actions of left-back Boli Bolingoli, who jetted off to Spain for a day without the club’s consent and failed to quarantine upon his return. The champions’ two games against St. Mirren and Aberdeen were then be postponed.

Lennon will want his side to return to winning ways, especially after their frustrating 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. Ryan Christie’s early long-range free-kick was cancelled out by Chris Burke’s penalty (stupidly given away by Chris Jullien).

Tuesday’s opponents KR Reykjavik are the reigning Icelandic top-flight champions. They’re nine games into their season and currently sit in second place, though they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against FH Hafnarfjördur on Friday.

That was Reykjavik’s first game in two weeks, as the Icelandic government ordered sporting events to be cancelled following an increase in virus cases.

Celtic and Reykjavik did meet six years ago in the Champions League second qualifying round. The Hoops secured a 1-0 away win, with Callum McGregor finding the net five minutes from full-time. When the Icelandics came to Celtic Park, it was a one-sided affair with the Scots cruising to a 4-0  win.

New Bhoy Albian Ajeti will seemingly start on the bench with Mikey Johnston and Leigh Griffiths still out of action.

With all that in mind, here’s the XI that we think Neil Lennon will select for the must-win game.