Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas insists only four of Ange Postecoglou's squad have earned their stripes at Champions League level.
And the 60-year-old has challenged Jota, Kyogo, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda to prove their worth with a stirring send-off against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. Nicholas has no doubts over Joe Hart, Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Josip Juranovic, however, he believes the jury remains out on the rest of the squad with no victories in Group F. Postecoglou's gung-ho approach has been praised but results have not followed against Madrid, Leipzig and Shakhtar
Nicholas has challenged star man Jota to replicate his stirring domestic form in European football's premier competition and leave Carlo Ancelotti's men with something to think about to help Celtic to their first win of the group stage at the final attempt. Speaking in his Express column, he said: "Jota has yet to prove he belongs at Champions League level. That might seem a bit harsh on the Celtic winger as he has missed the last two Group F outings with injury and we all know what a top match-winner he can be on his day, but I'd just love to see it in the Champions League.
