From Dortmund to Dingwall, domestic reality sets back in for the Hoops tomorrow lunchtime with a trip to face Don Cowie’s Ross County…
The Staggies sit mid-table despite only winning one of their seven league games so far this season. The Highlanders have been draw specialists drawing games against Motherwell, Dundee United, St Johnstone and most recently Hearts.
The Hoops have won their last five matches at the Global Energy Stadium. That run extends to 11 games adding in fixtures at Celtic Park. Neil Lennon’s final game in charge as Celtic manager back in February 2021 was the last time Ross County beat Celtic.
The expectation is that Brendan Rodgers will rotate for tomorrow’s clash. Defensive injuries to Alistair Johnston (who will travel), Greg Taylor and Cameron-Carter Vickers (both out and will not travel) means that Alex Valle and Anthony Ralston will most likely step into the back four while Auston Trusty will get another start.
Other rotations could likely happen, Adam Idah has yet to start a league fixture since his permanent return to the club in the summer. So too may James Forrest and Luke McCowan who have made cameo appearances in recent weeks.
With it being the last competitive game for Celtic prior to another international break, this would be a perfect opportunity for Brenda Rodgers to make several changes. Freshness is required following a harsh lesson in the Champions League in Germany.
Looking ahead to the Premiership encounter, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers talked up his opponents, “we have seen them play, obviously in the sort of 3-5-2 structure. From the build-up, it’ll go directly up to the strikers. Young Ronan Hale has done really well coming in from Cliftonville, scored three goals in seven games, and he’ll have an enthusiasm to play against Celtic, I’m sure.”
Rodgers added, “there always tough games, tight pitch, we’ll have a great support there, and we aim to get back on track with a high performance level of what we’ve shown and look to bounce back with a good victory, but we know up there it’s always tough.”
Having dismantled every domestic opponent in sight, Celtic will be hoping to continue their perfect start to the league season with three points and make it seven from seven.
Conor Spence
Will be a mental challenge tomorrow more than anything, with a good number of players still licking the wounds of dortmund?
So a big test of character, and would never question the character and attitude of any of our players presently, as they have shown on numerous occasions, lasting months now, just how strong that has been within our squad?
And wouldn’t expect to see that change tomorrow?
Team selection could well require a bit of freshness added to the starting line-up, even if there’s a case for starting as many as possible in order to get the dortmund experience out of the system?
Personally would like to see rocki given an opportunity, but Rodgers still doesn’t seem to fancy him as a player for ourselves still?
Starting to wonder why Rodgers even bothered including him into our squad, especially at the cost of Holm?
Still our midfield areas is dependent upon 3 from 4 options?
Thinking that a case for McCowan to start getting more game, especially going forward with the CL campaign in mind, for starting games before and after these CL matches?
We still haven’t seen Rodgers prepared to take such an approach yet, and could be a case for Holm to start been introduced also?
Still believe that the use of our overall squad could be used a bit better than it has been to date imo?
Even though I would be surprised to see that approach introduced tomorrow, still think it’s something that might have to be considered going forward, especially against the likes of Ross county?