Tomorrow is the perfect chance to rest some players, and start our new Bhoys with The Celtic Star predicting SEVEN changes to the side that beat Slovan Bratislava…
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Tomorrow sees a break from league action as we take on Falkirk in the quarter final of the Premier Sports sponsored League Cup at Celtic Park.
The Bairns are flying high at the top of the Scottish championship, and much like ourselves have a one hundred percent win record, meaning we can’t take tomorrow lightly. And of course they completed an Invincible league campaign last season and knocked Hearts out of this competition so are now eyeing an even bigger giant killing exercise tomorrow afternoon at Paradise.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t shuffle our pack a little and give some of our new signings a starting spot, while resting a few others. Especially after an energy zapping game on Wednesday night.
Guys like Tony Ralston, Auston Trusty and Alex Valle are likely to start the game, with the likes of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor getting a well earned rest. Both AJ and CCV might be carrying knocks so it will make perfect sense to rest those two and the same goes for Taylor.
We know that Tony Ralston never lets the team down and the support always likes getting the chance to see new signing getting their full debuts. Trusty got a few minutes on Wednesday night against Slovan Bratislava but we’ve still to see what he’s like and the same goes for Alex Valle who didn’t come to Celtic from Barcelona to sit on the bench.
I can’t see Callum McGregor not playing, but Reo Hatate will most likely get a rest meaning a start for Paulo Bernardo. Unfortunately Luke McCowan is cup tied so we won’t get to see him start for the first time.
Arne Engels will most likely start so he can get more used to his new surroundings. While James Forrest and Luis Palma should come in to give Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn a well deserved rest.
Up top Adam Idah is a certainty to start as Kyogo has run himself into the ground recently, so although there will be changes, it’s still a side that should comfortably take care of Falkirk.
In goals I can see Brendan giving a half each to his two summer signings Kasper Schmeichel – who will be playing against his old team – and Finland international Viljami Sinisalo who has been looking brilliant in the warm-ups this season. Have you noticed this?
Brendan not only has a big squad, but a quality one. The best we’ve had in a while. It’s games like this that we can use that strength and depth to our advantage. Especially with some tougher games on the horizon.
I reckon that the Celtic manager will name the following side to play Falkirk.
Schmeichel, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels; Forrest, Idah and Palma.
Not a bad side considering there are seven changes from the team that thrashed Slovan Bratislava in midweek. And remember Celtic will have a VERY strong bench and we can expect the usual changes to start happening around the hour mark.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
📗 We’re back at Paradise this Sunday with Falkirk the visitors in the League Cup Quarter Final.
The official match programme will be available to buy at Celtic Park or in the Superstore 🏟
Or you can click below to order online ⤵#CELFAL | #PremierSportsCup | #CelticFC🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 21, 2024
READ THIS…‘My father’s eight week ban from refereeing in 1969,’ Jim Callaghan
COMING SOON ON CELTIC STAR BOOKS…CELTIC IN THE THIRTIES, VOL 1&2 BY MATT CORR…
In a number of ways, this match tomorrow could be regarded as the toughest Rodgers has to navigate this season so far imo?
Changes are to be expected, which we haven’t had to endure yet this season?
A test of character will be on show also, with some players having to deal with such highs from Wednesday, to getting back to facing a far less attractive opposition on reduced energy levels?
So Rodgers is potentially facing a few selection dilemma, especially as he wouldn’t want our performance levels dropping off to much either?
Thankfully there seems a renewed enthusiasm within Rodgers, where every match is going to be taken very seriously?
With that in mind, I still think Rodgers will look to depend upon kasper, scales, calmac, Engels Maeda and forrest in starting tomorrow?
So could well call upon ralston, Trusty, Valle, Paulo and idah to complete the starting line-up imo?
Depending upon how the game is going, may well affect the substitutes that Rodgers would like to make also?
Ideally it would be great to be able to get some game time into rocki for scales, Holm for Engels, Palma for Maeda and yang for forrest, along with kasper given a ovation at getting replaced also?
Still could allow ourselves to have unused subs such as kyogo, Hatate, kuhn and Taylor to make up our match day squad?
If only football was as simple in the decision making, but sure Rodgers will have our team well motivated to get the result tomorrow, and wont be under estimating Falkirk either?
Would be surprised if we were not to score at least another 3 goals tomorrow?
And always enjoy seeing how new players settle into our team and the qualities that they have to offer ourselves?
Much rather that, than the cheating officials trying to take centre stage within our Scottish matches?