Stick together in Italy & we have a puncher's chance

Kyogo says it's time for Hoops to show Europe what they can do

- CRAIG SWAN

KYOGO FURUHASHI insists Celtic must show collective class on their Champions League travels.

And the Japanese striker wants his team to do some serious talking on the pitch when they get off the plane to rejoin Europe's elite.

Kyogo and his colleagues return to the cut-throat elite competition when they head to Italy to face Atalanta on Wednesday.

If the challenge against the quickfire Serie A outfit in the Gewiss Stadium isn't tough enough, painful memories from their last troubled trip must also be exorcised.

Having slaughtered Slovan Bratislava on home soil in their opening encounter in this term's competition, hopes were sky-high heading to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund on night two.

However, savage events in the Signal Iduna Park brought Celtic crashing back to earth.

From a 5-1 win to a 7-1 defeat, it was torturous - and Brendan Rodgers' side now face another extreme examination against the current Europa League title-holders.

Kyogo spent time in the peace of Mull after taking a trip there during the international break but it will be frantic in Italy.