THE training ground injury picked up by Leigh Griffiths will probably be the single biggest factor in making Neil Lennon’s mind up to revert to Celtic default tactical system of 4-2-3-1.
The 3-5-2 was how Celtic started at Pittodrie at the weekend and a combination of the wind, the dry pitch and the tactical measures taken by Derek McInnes meant that it just wasn’t happening for the Champions. Recognising this Lenny changed to a back four – moving Kristoffer Ajer over to right back, and the rest, as they say is history.
Earlier in that game, Greg Taylor had to go off injured and he’s joined Griffiths in staying behind while the team flew off to Copenhagen earlier today. Also missing from the flight was Hatem Abd Elhamed, who has just returned to training after being out since Celtic’s stunning victory in Rome in November. Lazio’s domestic form before and after that game actually enhances the scale of the achievement but for Elhamed, he’s paid a hefty price.
So who plays as full-backs tomorrow night? Jeremie Frimpong is fit again after his relatively lucky escape down at Kilmarnock three weeks ago, but with Copenhagen likely to fire in balls to the back post, Lenny is more likely to opt for Kris Ajer to pick up where he left off on Sunday.
And Copenhagen will be well aware of the goal threat that he’ll bring down the left hand side.
At left back with Taylor missing it’s again a straight choice between Jonny Hayes, who came on for the former Killie star at Pittodrie, and £3million summer signing from Rapid Vienna – Boli Bolingoli.
Hayes played the defensive left back role in Rome and is likely to be given the nod in Copenhagen.
The goalkeeper will be Fraser Forster and in front of him will be Christopher Jullien and either Jozo Simunovic (if fit) of Nir Bitton. Hopefully Jozo sat out the trip to Pittodrie to make sure he’s fine for the Europa League match.
On to midfield and we know that the double act of Scott Brown and Callum McGregor will be in the engine room. Ahead in the number 10 role will be Olivier Ntcham, playing behind the talisman Odsonne Edouard with Lenny left to choose two from three of James Forrest – who will start on either the right or the left depending on whether Neil Lennon opts for Ryan Christie on the right (with Forrest on the left) or Moi Elyounoussi on the left (with Forrest on the right wing).
I’d expect Christie to play and the team to be
Forster
Ajer, Jullien, Simunovic, Hayes
Brown, McGregor
Christie, Ntcham, Forrest
Edouard
Elyounoussi, Rogic and Frimpong will provided quality options from the bench alongside the likes of Bain, Bitton and Bayo.
After arriving in Copenhagen, Neil Lennon spoke about the tough task that Celtic will face in the Danish capital. “It will be a difficult game. They’re tactically very smart,” Lenny told the Media, as reported by Scottish Sun.
“We’re in good form going in to the game. We know we cant take anything for granted.
“The pitch looks fantastic. We’ve just been out to have a look and I think when the players see it they’ll be looking forward to it.
“We’ve got a good compliment of players with us. But they’re a strong team, difficult to beat and they game out of a difficult group.
“We had a brilliant result at the weekend and I think the players will be ready for the experience tomorrow night.”
Copenhagen don’t score or concede many and have already been talking up the merits of taking a goalless draw over to Celtic Park next week. Odsonne Edouard, the Celt they fear the most, is likely to wreck that particular plan…
📌 Telia Parken Stadium, Copenhagen. @gerrymcculloch1 previews #CelticFC's @EuropaLeague Round of 32 first leg! #COPCEL
Live audio of the match on @CelticTV from 5:45pm CPT tomorrow.
Full match replay from 11pm on https://t.co/hiI9BAztU9 🇩🇰🍀 #UEL pic.twitter.com/Z65tJC2xnX
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 19, 2020
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