Celtic travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night with little pressure on their shoulders. Having secured a magnificent result away to Anderlecht last time out in the UEFA Champions League, Brendan Rodgers’ side are well on their way towards finishing third and achieving European football after Christmas. Whatever happens in Munich, that will not change.
Still, it’s an opportunity to upset the status quo in the competition and shock one of Europe’s biggest and most talented sides. Having not been defeated in their previous three away trips in the group stages, the possibility of a draw may not be quite as far fetched as some think.
To do something as bold as that, Celtic will need to play at the absolute peak of their powers and hope the Germans have an off night and Brendan Rodgers must get his tactics and team selection spot on.
With a number of options to choose from, there are a few potential selection headaches for the manager before he decides his team.
These are the THREE big ones we think can help the Hoops be as competitive as possible…
No Jozo Simunovic, Start Cristian Gamboa
With news emerging on Tuesday that Jozo Simunovic has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s match due to a hamstring issue, a last-minute spanner is in the works for Brendan Rodgers.
With Dedryck Boyata returning to full fitness and playing alongside the Croatian-born defender to great effect away to Anderlecht on the last matchday, it seemed as if Celtic had finally turned a corner with their defensive woes and found a partnership that could be the platform for success in the competition.
However, that’s all up in the air again and Rodgers again has to tape together a makeshift defensive line.
While Erik Sviatchenko is back in first team training, he hasn’t played a match for over two months and rushing him back against Bayern Munich has the makings of a disaster.
Alternatives include playing the inexperienced Kristoffer Ajer or midfielder Nir Bitton, but the right option is to move Mikael Lustig in from the right flank and start Cristian Gamboa.
Gamboa was in sparkling form at right-back on Saturday and looked ready to test himself against better opposition than Dundee. Lustig may not be a perfect choice to replace Simunovic but compared to Bitton and Ajer, he is undoubtedly a more natural defender and up against Bayern, that could be crucial.
Leave Tom Rogic out, Start pragmatic midfield three
In midfield, Brendan Rodgers’ decisions are no less important and he is blessed with players of varying types to choose from.
There’s the creative Tom Rogic who, while not possessing the greatest work rate, can provide match-winning contributions. There’s also the vibrant Callum McGregor who can carry the ball with surging runs and finish as well as anyone in the Celtic team from in and around the box.
While they are tempting options, Brendan Rodgers should play the most pragmatic midfield possible and that means Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong and Olivier Ntcham should all start.
Brown can perform his usual European role for the Hoops sitting just in front of the defence and the partnership of Armstrong and Ntcham can combine a little further forward and try to support the likes of Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair in attack.
Armstrong brings energy and Ntcham brings vision and a great range of passion when on the top of his game.
In a match where possession could be at a premium, Celtic need to be brave on the ball and pass it efficiently, or it could be a long night in the manner of the Paris Saint-Germain defeat.
Leigh Griffiths deserves to start, Moussa Dembele’s time will come
Leigh Griffiths has always been a natural and lethal goalscorer for Celtic, but his development over the last 12 months into a striker who has an exceptional all-round game has been one of the highlights of Brendan Rodgers’ management of the club.
This time last year the prospect of him leading the line away from home in Europe would be a worrying one, but he can perform that role well now and is a must-pick on Wednesday night.
His goal against Anderlecht on the last matchday proves he can be effective at this level and with Moussa Dembele struggling for fitness and form, the Bayern Munich has come just too soon for the Frenchman.
