Jota is gone and Liel Abada is injured. In another cruel twist of fate, Celtic are suddently looking for a backup to step out from the shadows.
The opportunity has emerged for a right-winger to make that jersey their own, just like Liam Scales has done at centre-back.
Rodgers has tried out three of the four right-wingers at the club’s disposal since Abada picked up his injury on international duty. This has resulted in Yang Hyun-jun starting against Dundee, Luis Palma starting against Feyenoord and then James Forrest starting against Livingston.
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Yang Hyun-jun
The South Korean has had a positive start to life at Celtic and has arguably made the strongest impact on the team out of all the currently available right-wingers at the club. His attacking intent and willingness to take on a man has excited supporters whenever he takes to the field.
Yang seems to be Rodgers’ most favoured option out of those currently available and was showing a willingness to attack against Feyenoord in Rotterdam despite the team being down to nine men. He will perhaps be the most likely starting option on Saturday.
Luis Palma
The Honduran has only had one start in a Celtic shirt, and received some criticism following that display against Feyenoord. He didn’t set the world alight in that game but he came alive after a quiet first half hour, showing some real danger for the Rotterdam side’s defence whenever he cut inside onto his right foot.
His preferred position is on the left side, but given Maeda’s versatility and the consistent rotation of Celtic’s wingers during games over the last few years, Palma could fill in on either side.
As Celtic’s second most-expensive signing of the summer transfer window, fans are eager to see more of Palma in a Celtic shirt and this Saturday could be the opportunity for him to shine.
James Forrest
Forrest was the unlucky player who was substituted to make way for Scott Bain on Saturday after Joe Hart’s red card, and despite frustrations at seeing Forrest on the team sheet, he was putting in a relatively solid performance up until that point.
However, at this stage in his career and with plenty of hungrier and younger players competing for places in that Celtic attack, it would be wiser for Rodgers to give one of those players an opportunity over the 32-year-old.
The surprise inclusion of Tilio alongside several other first-team players in the Celtic B team for Sunday’s testimonial match against Ayr has led to the belief that the 22-year-old Aussie could be involved on Saturday in some capacity.
Tilio has a reputation back home of being a promising young player, and whilst a start at the weekend may be beyond him, getting minutes in his legs last weekend will be vital for his progress. A place on the bench and a potential first appearance for the club shouldn’t be too far away.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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