Brendan Rodgers has a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s Premiership opener against Ross County at Celtic Park. The Scottish Champions defeated Athletic Club on Tuesday evening in an enthralling 3-2 win. However, it was a game of two halves as the second half Celts showed the necessary minerals to defeat the visitors from the Basque Country.
Rodgers promised to play two sets of XI and the first half had what appeared to be the majority of ‘first-picks’.
The first issue comes at centre back and who the manager decides to play at the bedrock of the defence. Carl Starfelt played the second half alongside Liam Scales, both were assured, whilst it was Maik Nawrocki and Cameron Carter-Vickers that started. You’d imagine that Rodgers would continue with the preferred pairing of Starfelt and CCV, who have been immense since joining the club in the summer of 2021.
Next, left-back offers a conundrum for Rodgers. Greg Taylor would have been nailed on to start but the performance of Alexandro Bernabei on Tuesday proves that the Argentine has a lot to offer going forward this season. The second goal was a special combination of play before a smart finish under Unai Simon drew the teams level. Taylor, who thrived as one of Ange’s inverted full-backs, will know that he needs to further adapt in order to ensure that he remains a mainstay of the Celtic team.
In midfield, Callum McGregor is nailed on to start. The skipper has been incredible since breaking through under Ronny Deila in 2013/14. The Scotland Internationalist will start but the question is whether it is Matt O’Riley, David Turnbull, Reo Hatate or Odin Thiago Holm that start beside him. Kwon is a project signing and you’d imagine he’s still getting up to speed so won’t be in contention from the start.
Despite an impressive display from Yang, you’d expect Liel Abada to start on the right, Daizen Maeda on the left and Kyogo to play through the middle.
Rodgers is spoiled with options off the bench whoever he decides to go with. Players like Sead Haksabanovic, Oh and those mentioned as being in contention for starting roles will offer power, pace and a threat going forward.
Headache? Surely it’s the same as last season. None of the newbies are anywhere near starting. Can’t wait for BR to bring in HIS s own players and hopefully NO MORE PROJECTS! Europe beckons and we are way off the mark. AP got out at the right time. Doubt if he would have improved us further! BR has an awful lot to do. I’m sure he will do his best.