Celtic will be back in domestic action on Saturday lunchtime against David Martindale and his Livingston side at the Tony Macaroni stadium. After licking their wounds following the 2-0 defeat sustained in Rotterdam at the hands of Dutch champions Feyenoord, the Hoops will have to get their focus back onto things at home.
These matches are traditionally always tricky in West Lothian and tomorrow afternoon won’t be any different for Brendan Rodgers and his men. There is speculation over who will start this one, particularly as the Irishman might have Nat Phillips back from the minor ankle injury after he rolled it in the victory over Dundee at Celtic Park.
With Liel Abada also out, the right-wing spot is available and up for grabs. Yang Hyun-jun and Luis Palma could be in contention; Palma started on the left and Maeda the right in the Champions League mid-week, so it remains to be seen which mixture Rodgers will go for come Saturday. Likewise, Reo Hatate has been working his way back to fitness but has come in for some flak for his performance the other night too.
It promises to be a hard-fought game regardless of the players Brendan decides to play in this one. With that pitch always causing issues with the quality of the game and also the affect it has on potential injuries, we would all take a scrappy three points and back up the road with our squad intact.
Paul Gillespie
