Celtic are in Rome this evening to face Lazio in the UEFA Champions League. The game is a must win for Brendan Rodgers’ team as they harbour ambitions of playing European football into the New Year. After the disappointing draw at home to Motherwell, Celtic require to perform at a higher level in order to get the desired result.
Celtic go into the game without Daizen Maeda (injured), Liel Abada (injured) and Luis Palma is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Atletico. Meanwhile, Marco Tilio, who came off the bench at the weekend, is not registered. James Forrest didn’t feature at the weekend but the manager has said that he will be involved, along with Mikey Johnston and Yang.
Joe Hart will start in goals. The Englishman will have been disappointed at conceding the goal against Motherwell at the weekend and will be vital if we are to win in Rome.
In defence, expect Alistair Johnston to replace Tony Ralston on the backline with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales continuing with Greg Taylor at left back.
In midfield, Callum McGregor will captain the side along with Matt O’Riley and Odin Thiago Holm. David Turnbull, Paolo Bernardo and Tomoki Iwata are all notable suggestions but you’d imagine that Holm was given the start against Motherwell to get his sharpness up.
In attack, Celtic are somewhat threadbare on the wings. You would expect Kyogo to start through the middle with James Forrest and Yang out wide.
Think if Johnston and forrest, would include Turnbull also, were to start, then no real point in actually changing to take to the field imo.
All 3 aren’t particularly very good with the football and even worse without it, which will be a requirement tonight for long periods tonight I would say.
Hardly offer next to nothing in a creative manner either.
May well be able to offer something if the game opens up more so later on, but far to risky to start in a game we don’t want to be chasing early doors either imo.