Celtic have made six changes to the side that beat Raith Rovers 4-0 at the weekend ahead of the crunch Europa Conference tie against Bodo/Glimt.
The Hoops cruised to a routine win against the Championship outfit thanks to goals from Liam Scales, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and Nir Bitton’s rebound from a missed penalty kick.
However, it was a largely second-string team fielded by Ange Postecoglou with the aim of beating Bodo at Celtic Park tonight; which has forced him into seven changes after they beat the Kirkcaldy-based outfit.
Joe Hart
Joe Hart keeps his place in goal, having lost just one game in all competitions since the 19th September loss to Livingston. The Englishman has been imperious in net since his arrival from Tottenham in the summer, and his European experience should be vital in what is a huge continental night for Celtic.
Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Greg Taylor
Elsewhere, Josip Juranovic starts after he replaces Anthony Ralston following a slight injury. After reports linked him to Brendan’s boys Leicester for £10million, the Croatian will be looking to impress his suitors on the big stage and show Celtic fans that he can continue producing the stellar form he has done since his move from Legia Warsaw in the summer.
Greg Taylor comes in for the slightly less experienced Scales after being rested for the Raith game, having become a key player under Ange for his daring nature from left-back.
And Cameron Carter-Vickers will keep his place at the back, although Carl Starfelt will this time be his partner given that Stephen Welsh made a rare appearance on Sunday – only his second of 2022.
Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley
Callum McGregor was dubbed the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ after being the star of the cast against the pantomime theRangers defence earlier this month; and he will get his chance to act the part on the Paradise stage tonight against the Norwegians.
Elsewhere, new boy Matt O’Riley will look to cement his super January starts in the centre of midfield, with the wizardry that Tom Rogic has shown for oh so many years at Paradise being pitted alongside him.
Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda, Jota
Liel Abada has really become Celtic’s star goal threat in recent weeks, ghosting in at the back post to haunt Borna Barisic’s dreams in the derby alongside his four goals in six Premiership games.
Jota will line up on the other wing, with the superstar from Portugal looking to dominate with his dazzling skills on the wing, whilst Maeda will be the main man up front in his first European outing.
🤩 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒔…
📋 Here’s our official #CELBOD line-up ✅#UECL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/oDPA4DcHMz
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 17, 2022
Come on, Celtic!
