Celtic take on Partick Thistle on Wednesday night with a trip to Hampden in the semi finals of the Betfred Cup on the line. Neil Lennon will have a selection headache as he considers resting some of his stars as the games come thick and fast for his Treble winning side.
Four games before the international break means Neil Lennon can shuffle the pack with players looking to get minutes in their legs before the season becomes even more hectic.
Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest have been prominent figures in the side both domestically and internationally in the past few weeks, so Wednesday could be an ideal opportunity to let them rest and give minutes to those needing game-time.
In goals, Craig Gordon could get a nod as the ‘cup keeper’ idea may return similarly to Brendan Rodgers giving Scott Bain game time last in the League Cup. Gordon felt slightly hard done by at losing the Celtic Number One jersey to Fraser Forster and Neil Lennon may look to give the 36-year-old another chance to wear the gloves. Despite Forster being first pick, it is also worth noting that he spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines with injury so he needs to be managed, despite being eager to get more minutes under his belt.
At left back, Boli Bolingoli has recently impressed; however with new signing Greg Taylor is cup-tied, The £2.5 million signing from Kilmarnock will have to wait for his debut. Jonny Hayes could therefore start at left back against Championship’s bottom side.
Tom Rogic is another who could drafted in for some needed minutes on Wednesday. Starting the Aussie playmaker would give Ryan Christie some needed rest and let Rogic prove what he still has much to offer the club. Rogic has come on as a sub in the last two league games versus Hamilton and Kilmarnock, yet will be yearning to get back to his magical best.
Up front, Leigh Griffiths and Bayo will be hoping to get the chance to show that they can push Odsonne Edouard as the club’s number one striker and against an out of sorts Partick Thistle side, this could be their chance to get back to scoring ways.
Complacency killed the cat and Celtic need to make sure that they don’t let their standards slip as Ian McCall’s new side come calling. The balancing act between rotating some players and ensuring the job is done is an important point, one that Neil Lennon and his coaching team will have been working on today.
Lubo98
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
‘We’ve got a squad we can be very excited about,’ Forster eyes Europa League glorysee HERE.
Me and My Big Mouth – McCall rates Morelos and Defoe ahead of Edouard, now he’s Thistle’s boss……see HERE.
UEFA action on Fascist Salutes after Lazio lose appeal, Celtic’s Action All Areas…see HERE.
Bauer ‘world class’? – ‘Give him a chance before he becomes the new Danny McGrain,’ David Potter…see HERE.
Aitken’s brilliant spot for Killie’s Pen after Blind Spot for Power’s Handball – funny that…see HERE.
Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – The Bunnet appeared, dispelled the evil spirits, as he did 25 years ago…see HERE.
Delighted Lenny’s getting everything he’s asked for from Hoops stars…see HERE.
Fergus back for Paradise Windfall as Celtic make it six wins from six…see HERE.
