Celtic fans will be looking for a reaction when they return to domestic football at Celtic Park against Barry Robson’s Aberdeen side this afternoon.
Tuesday night’s trip to Madrid proved a major disappointment, with the Hoops on the receiving end of another European hammering. To add to the pain of this 6-0 trouncing, Daizen Maeda was sent off just 23 minutes into the match for a challenge on Mario Hermoso. Brendan Rodgers went on to reveal in Friday’s post-match press conference that the Japanese winger sustained an injury when making this challenge that will keep him out of action for around six weeks.
That injury throws the team selection for this afternoon up into the air, with Rodgers already without a starting winger in Liel Abada. Who will the gaffer turn to, and will there be any other changes that could spark a reaction out of his squad?
Maik Nawrocki
Last week, Brendan Rodgers opted to rest Cameron Carter-Vickers for the visit of St Mirren to Celtic Park, his reasoning being that he didn’t want to put too much stress on the American’s knee and to allow him to fully recover.
Two games in a week was too much for him last week, and after what would have been an exhausting 90 minutes for Carter-Vickers in Madrid, it may be a wise move to give him another rest this weekend whilst also allowing Maik Nawrocki to be eased back into the side. If selected, this would give the Pole his first appearance since returning from injury, and would also allow Rodgers the opportunity to look ahead to January and the future of loanee Nat Phillips.
Nawrocki was the most expensive signing of the summer transfer window, after all, and Rodgers will be eager to get his money’s worth out of the former Legia Warsaw man.
Odin Thiago Holm
Rodgers has been heavily rotating his midfield following the injury to Reo Hatate that will keep the Japanese playmaker out of action until after Christmas, with both David Turnbull and Paulo Bernardo having started over the last few weeks.
The Benfica loanee has been the man trusted with starting the bigger games in Europe, but after Tuesday evening’s disappointment, Rodgers may look to shake things up by giving Odin Holm a start. The Norwegian is a player who has been impressive in his cameos from the bench since returning from injury a few weeks ago, and perhaps it’s time to give him a start.
Marco Tilio in the squad
The Aussie hasn’t been seen for Celtic so far this season since his arrival from Melbourne City in the summer. Early injury issues led to the youngster having trouble fitting in upon his arrival in Glasgow, something Brendan Rodgers revealed a few weeks ago.
The opportunity for minutes in a Celtic shirt may have finally presented itself to the 22-year-old, however, following the recent injury to Daizen Maeda. With both the Japanese international and Liel Abada out, there is a massive opportunity for players in the wide areas to try and stake their claim, and now could be the perfect time for Tilio to step up.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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