Celtic will begin their Viaplay Cup campaign this Sunday as they take a trip to Ayrshire to face Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock side at Rugby Park.
The champions fought off Aberdeen 3-1 at Pittodrie last weekend and the tough away trips don’t end there with Rugby Park proving to be a difficult place to travel to.
Brendan Rodgers will have some big decisions to make regarding the team selection with injuries, new signings and potential squad rotation that you usually see in the early stages of cup competitions all playing on the mind of the Celtic manager.
GK – Joe Hart
The English stopper saw a lot of the pressure that was on his shoulders in Ange Postecoglou’s system eased on Sunday, as the emphasis on playing out from the back took a backseat. When Celtic were on the back-foot and being heavily pressed, it looked as though Hart had been instructed to just get the ball out of danger. This tactical tweak should benefit Hart greatly and should limit the amount of mistakes and mishaps that we know that 36-year-old is prone to.
RB – Anthony Ralston
The 24-year-old put in a performance at Pittodrie that had him playing close to his best. Solid defensively and with a return to the crunching tackle that Celtic fans love him for, Ralston should keep his place in the starting lineup. Although Alistair Johnston did return to training at the end of last week, it wouldn’t be the best idea to throw him back in on a plastic pitch. Giving Ralston the nod and allowing him to continue to get back to his best and provide a viable back-up option to the Canadian would be the right move.
CB – Maik Nawrocki
The Pole saw a lot more responsibility placed on his shoulders at Pittodrie, especially in the second half with Cameron Carter-Vickers out injured. The the new signing rose to the occasion and put in one of Celtic’s best performances on the day. He has settled in quickly to life at Celtic and his picture-perfect tackling and progressive passes could make him a big player this season as he looks to nail down a starting position.
CB – Gustaf Lagerbielke
Celtic announced the Swede’s signing last week and, after completing his first media duties on Thursday, he could be set for his first start on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Stephen Welsh picked up a knock at training, so the 23-year-old will surely be in line for his Celtic debut. It’s a tough away ground to go to for your first game but the new signing is used to playing on plastic pitches back in his native Sweden and will look to impress his new manager at Rugby Park whilst adjusting to his new club.
LB – Greg Taylor
A return to a ground Taylor used to call home should be expected this weekend. However, performance levels haven’t been anywhere near the high standard that the 25-year-old set for himself last season and if Sunday’s display isn’t up to scratch then his position in the team for next week’s fixture against St Johnstone could be in danger.
CM – Callum McGregor
The captain wasn’t at his best in the first-half last Sunday but, if there is anyone whose place in the team is nailed on, it’s Callum McGregor. A 6/10 performance is considered below-par for the Scotland international and that is testament to his consistency for the club over the last few years.
CM – Matt O’Riley
The Dane has had a hit start to the new season with goals in both league fixtures so far and a man-of-the-match display at Pittodrie last weekend. O’Riley is clearly a player Rodgers likes and will have a big part to play this season, especially in the Champions League. An understated part of his game in his defensive abilities was also on show for all to see last weekend as he got stuck in whilst Celtic were under the cosh and he will be ready for whatever is thrown at him at Rugby Park.
CM – David Turnbull
The former Motherwell man has had a hit and miss start to the season. After putting up a man-of-the-match performance in which he grabbed two goals on the opening day, he couldn’t build on it against Aberdeen. Unable to keep up with the frantic pace, Turnbull was bypassed with ease and was hooked at half-time. Sunday’s cup tie may be much more suited to Turnbull’s game against a Killie side that are likely to sit in and we may see the best of Turnbull again.
RW – Liel Abada
Despite scoring last weekend, the Israeli’s performance came under fire as he wasn’t at his best. However, his quality is known and a player that can grab a goal even when they aren’t at their best is vitally important to Celtic. The early stages of the cup competitions have traditionally provided room for Celtic to rotate so Yang Hyun-Jun could potentially be an outside shout for a start this weekend after his assist for Celtic’s third against the Dons.
ST – Kyogo Furuhashi
Chances were at a premium for the Japanese at Pittodrie. However, as all good strikers do, Kyogo made the most of his opportunities against Aberdeen. With Oh out injured, there is no competition for Kyogo at the moment and he will most definitely start on Sunday.
LW – Daizen Maeda
Maeda put in a great performance at Pittodrie as he caused all sorts of problems for the Aberdeen back line. He scored in his last appearance at Rugby Park and will be hoping for similar on Sunday.
JAMES MCKENZIE
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