Celtic may have only targeted third position in their UEFA Champions League group, but they’ll also know that victory against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night puts them right back into the hunt for a second place spot.

Recognising the difference in resources between their club and the likes of Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain, Celtic fans have accepted their group stage was effectively a two legged tie with Anderlecht to determine who would grab the Europa League qualification spot.

Nonetheless, it’s Celtic Park in Europe and these occasions inspire a hope in fans that battles hard against the logic that will likely dictate that the Germans are victorious on Tuesday night.

If the Hoops are to have any chance at all of three points, or even a draw, then Brendan Rodgers must get his team selection absolutely spot on. It was arguably incorrect in the first meeting between the two sides, some questioning the decision to start Cristian Gamboa and Leigh Griffiths.

What does he need to do this time?

Here are the three selection calls he must get right…

Moussa Dembele over Leigh Griffiths

After a slow start to the season, fans were beginning to worry a bit about Moussa Dembele. Injuries meant he missed the first couple of months of action and on his return he was struggling for fitness and form.

The Frenchman is undeniable though and in the big match settings of a national semi-final against Hibernian and an away match against Aberdeen he came to the fore again, reminding everyone why he is considered to be Celtic’s outstanding talent.

Four goals in those two matches and a rest at home to Kilmarnock means he’ll be raring to go on Tuesday night and he must start in the group stages for the first time this season.

Leigh Griffiths is an excellent player but as shown recently, when Dembele is at the top of his game he can bring the Celtic attack to another level and if he performs as he did against Manchester City last season then Tuesday’s match could be closer than the majority think.

They need him at his best and he’s finally at that level again.

A midfield three of Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong & Callum McGregor

The midfield combinations Brendan Rodgers has at his disposal are plentiful. There’s the mercurial talent of Tom Rogic, the vision of Olivier Ntcham or even the rough diamond that is Eboue Kouassi.

Getting this combination right on Tuesday is arguably Rodgers’ most important decision and it should be as pragmatic as possible. That means that Celtic’s Scottish contingent should be deployed to counteract the threat of the German champions.

Scott Brown starting isn’t up for debate and the Celtic boss knows that. He’s their anchor, their leader and their everything on these nights. If he plays poorly then so will Celtic. Sitting in front of the defence he has the unenviable task of frustrating Bayern’s talented midfield but it’s something he can raise his game to do.

In Stuart Armstrong they have a player who has been ever improving for over a year now and who can not only pass efficiently but also link up with players further up the field, often showing a desire to run beyond the defensive line or latch onto second balls around the penalty area.

Callum McGregor provides the legs and the guile. While Tom Rogic is a born match winner, he can often drift out of games where the Hoops are not dominating possession but McGregor will get stuck right in and then carry the ball 40 yards.

All three provide the balance Celtic need to not only defend but also find joy on the counter-attack and they must start together.

Nir Bitton alongside Dedryck Boyata

There’s no getting around it. Celtic’s defence will be weakened on Tuesday night no matter which line-up Brendan Rodgers goes for. Save for the return of Erik Sviatchenko, who hasn’t played for months, the Hoops will have a central defender who is playing out of position.

The question is, who should that be?

Last time against Bayern, Rodgers moved natural right-back Mikael Lustig into the middle and handed Cristian Gamboa a rare start. It didn’t exactly go to plan though and the Costa Rican had an exceptionally difficult night up against Kingsley Coman. Can Lustig deal with him more effectively? Pace is an issue with the Swede but he does have vast experience and has coped with threats at this level for Celtic before.

That means that the obvious contender to play alongside Dedryck Boyata is natural midfielder Nir Bitton. All of his 11 starts this season have been in defence and he actually seems to be growing into the role. He was exceptional against Aberdeen last week and if he can carry that kind of form into Tuesday night, albeit against much better players, he can provide a performance to remember