Celtic v Aberdeen – Two from three centre-back dilemma for Brendan Rodgers

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has a huge dilemma at centre-back ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish League Cup semi-final with Aberdeen…

With Cameron Carter-Vickers back fully fit, you would expect the experienced American defender to be paired alongside either Auston Trusty or Liam Scales. Rodgers’ judgement will prove to be a decisive one.

The Celtic manager made a host of changes on Wednesday evening as the Hoops dispatched Dundee 2-0 at Paradise. Included in those rotations was CCV in for Liam Scales. Should that be an indication for the Irishman’s thoughts heading into tomorrow’s clash with the Dons?

Trusty and Scales have built up a solid partnership

Barring a collapse in Germany, Trusty and Scales built up a solid partnership since Carter-Vickers has been injured which was exemplified in the outstanding defensive performance in Bergamo. Both centre-backs had to be colossal in shutting out Serie A’s top goalscorers at the Gewiss Stadium.

Notably, defensive duo of Scales and Trusty established a decent partnership with full-backs Alex Valle and Alistair Johnston also. Possibly the only slight issue is that both are left footed centre-backs with Trusty having the more awkward role of playing on his weaker side.

Nobody can have any complaints about Carter-Vickers slotting back in

However, nobody can have any complaints about Carter-Vickers slotting back in. He is by far and away Celtic’s best defender, and the Hoops are a more secure and better team when he is on the pitch.

Recently, matches would suggest that Rodgers could be slightly edging towards starting Trusty rather than Scales. When the Celtic manager brought Carter-Vickers on against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday, it was Scales who shifted to left-back.

Likewise on Wednesday night, although there was radical rotation, Scales dropped out. A pattern seems to be emerging. That evidence would point towards a partnership of CCV and Trusty versus Jimmy Thelin’s high flying Dons.

They are in for a tough test

Whoever the centre-back duo will be, they are in for a tough test. With Kevin Nisbet a major doubt, it is a formality Ester Sokler will lead the line for Aberdeen. He proved his clinical finishing two weeks ago at Celtic Park pulling the Dons right back into match. Celtic will also have to be mindful of the attacking prowess of Topi Keskinen, Duk and Jamie McGrath who have been in sensational form.

It is that fluidity in the final third that is partly the reason for Aberdeen’s major success so far this season. Astute Swedish boss Jimmy Thelin has won 15 out of 16 games since arriving in Scotland.

Defensive stability a priority 

Therefore, whether it be Trusty or Scales that Rodgers opts for, defensive stability at the national stadium must be a priority. If Celtic get that right, like they so often have done this campaign, a place in the Scottish League Cup final awaits.

Conor Spence