Celtic are finally back following the international break and, with the Champions League group stage curtain raiser against Feyenoord looming, this afternoon’s visit of Dundee will be the final chance that Celtic have to impress and build momentum ahead of Tuesday’s contest.
Brendan Rodgers has plenty of selection headaches for tomorrow’s game, some good and some forced.
Nat Phillips is available and could potentially displace centre-back pairing Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales whilst Reo Hatate is back in training and could come straight back into the team.
Liel Abada’s recent injury over the international break also offers another question for Rodgers to try and answer.
GK – Joe Hart
Hart had one of his most impressive displays in a Celtic shirt at Ibrox, a performance in which he did what he does best and made potential game-winning saves.
He marshalled an inexperienced backline well and, with having the stress of constantly having to play with the ball at his feet lifted, he will be looking to keep a third clean-sheet in a row this afternoon.
RB – Alistair Johnston
The Canadian has been a welcome addition back to the Celtic squad since his return from injury and he was his usual self as he rose to the occasion at Ibrox.
ACSOM has previously highlighted Johnston as a player who will have a big part to play in the Champions League group stage campaign due to his knack for raising his game in the big matches and another good display tomorrow will help him towards that.
CB – Gustaf Lagerbielke
The Swede has looked composed and assured in a Celtic jersey and will be looking to continue to grab his early opportunities by the scruff of the neck as Celtic head towards the Champions League.
The 23-year-old will be looking for another big performance to cement his place in the squad for the upcoming European encounters.
CB – Nat Phillips
The Liverpool loanee is available and Rodgers will be eager to get minutes in his legs ahead of the trip to Rotterdam.
Phillips has Champions League experience and giving him his first start against Dundee would be a wise move, although it would be incredibly harsh to drop Liam Scales following his player-of-the-match performance against Rangers.
LB – Greg Taylor
Taylor hasn’t had the greatest of starts to his season, however, he looked closer to his usual self at Ibrox and, with Rodgers slowly reintroducing the inverted full-backs that Ange Postecoglou deployed, Taylor could use another big performance to get himself back in form again.
CM – Matt O’Riley
The Dane has had a positive start to the season, and has been arguably the club’s most consistent player. This for continued in the final match prior to the international break, as he put in another top-drawer display against Rangers.
O’Riley shone in the Champions League last season and another accomplished display on Saturday will stand him in good stead heading into those European fixtures.
CM – Callum McGregor
The captain returned to form at Ibrox with a brilliant performance and he built upon that with some impressive displays over the course of the international break for Scotland against Cyprus and England.
With the skipper back in form, continuing that on Saturday will be vitally important for Celtic going forward.
CM – Reo Hatate
Hatate is back in training and should be back in the team as Celtic finally has its strongest possible midfield trio back again.
Rodgers will have to be wary with Hatate’s injury, but 60 minutes in his legs will be great for the Japanese international as he returns to the team for the first time since 13th August.
RW – Yang Hyun-jun
Rodgers has a big decision to make on who steps in for the injured Liel Abada for the next four months.
Yang has caught the eye of fans with his electric displays from the bench getting supporters on their feet. The South Korean recently earned his first cap for his national team over the international break and will no doubt be high in confidence heading into Saturday’s game.
It is up to Yang, however, to relish the upcoming opportunities coming his way.
ST – Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo is the clutch player for Celtic and he showed that again in the previous fixtures as he continued to be the thorn in Rangers’ side whenever the derby comes around.
With Kyogo looking to hit the ground running in the Champions League, a goal or two at the weekend would help him on his way to that.
LW – Daizen Maeda
The Japanese winger was back to his best at Ibrox as his pressing and energy massively benefitted the team. Much like Kyogo, last season’s Champions League campaign saw many big opportunities passed up.
A goal this weekend would do wonders for his confidence going into Tuesday night.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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