Five Star Celts set to Shine, reckons Lenny

SCOTLAND are likely to start with FIVE Celtic players in the side that will open the Euro 2020 Qualifying campaign in the Astana Arena tomorrow afternoon. And the experience that The Celtic Bhoys have, along with ex-Celt Stuart Armstrong, of playing Astana in the Champions League qualifiers, will be of considerable benefit to Scotland boss Alex McLeish.

The Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been considering the Scotland national side’s matches against Kazakhstan and San Marino and believes that all five of his players has earned the right to play for their country in these games.

Scott Bain is likely to be named as the new Scotland No.1 with both Craig Gordon and Angry McGregor apparently out of the picture. The Celtic man is injured while the Rangers keeper chucked it last week, preferring to concentrate on his club fights.

James Forrest scored a five goals in the previous two Scotland matches is a certain starter and Callum McGregor – who Lenny believes will benefit from the game-time after his recent injury lay-off – has been a crucial player for Scotland since breaking into the side. Curiously , the former manager Gordon Strachan was reluctant to include Calmac – a stubborn, strange and ultimately costly decision for both Strachan and indeed Scotland.

Then there’s Oli Burke, who broke into the Scotland set-up as a teenager but it all came too soon for him and he was out of contention at both club level (West Brom following another £15m move, this time fro RB Leipzig) and at Scotland.

A loan move to Celtic in January has worked wonders for Burke and he’s playing regularly at Celtic, finding his position and is now likely to lead the line for Scotland in these two ‘Must Win’ opening Euro 2020 qualifiers.

“I know Scott Bain well, I worked with him briefly at Hibs, and I’m a big fan of his,’ Lenny told the latest edition of The Celtic View.

“He’s also improved a lot since he’s come here, and he’s really grown into the jersey.

“I’ll be delighted if he’s named as the No.1 at Scotland.

“The last year has been meteoric for Scott. He’s got nice composure about him, he’s got good hands, he’s got great agility and he’s certainly playing very for me at the moment.

“There have been a number of Celtic players that have contributed to the Scottish set-up in recent years. Jamesy has had a huge contribution in recent years, Callum McGregor too.

Getting Cal some game-time at Scotland will probably benefit him as we’ve obviously got the Rangers game after the break. It’s been great to have him back.”

Read the full interview with Neil Lennon in this week’s Celtic View, out today.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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