The bench
Although it didn’t matter in the end, the makeup of Celtic’s bench for the Champions League game last Wednesday suggests, there is more to do in this window and the next. Able to, just about, make up the numbers – we had to name two goalkeepers - Brendan Rodgers, had limited options for such a pivotal fixture. It is telling that none of the wingers were swapped, until the 90th minute when Liam Scales replaced Nicolas Kuhn. This was tactical though, thanks to the sending-off of Daizen Maeda, and wouldn’t usually be the case. In need of a goal, the Celtic manager chose to stick with what he had, rather than trust Palma or Yang.
Along with Scales, Rodgers also named center-backs Dane Murray and Nawrocki. Murray, I would presume, was there for his homegrown status, but both – having not played a competitive minute in defence for Celtic this season -seem to be redundant picks. As it stands, we will play a minimum of 54 games this season. The quality of player is important but so is the quantity.
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We’ve not heard much about the Celtic captain’s age this past week and that makes sense. When any player has passed the threshold of 30, their age seems to be a constant context when discussing their performance. More so when they play poorly.
Whilst Leipzig and Atalanta, were both excellent individual displays at Champion’s League level, it was time for McGregor to put his name on tangible success. For his relentless dominance, in domestic affairs, there hasn’t been much to point to, in Europe. He’s starting to put that right. His performance v Young Boys last week was a player desperate, to shake the monkey off his back.
Possessed to the point of frenzy but also assured, McGregor set a high tempo from the off, distributing the ball expertly. A passing accuracy of 95% (61/64) in a game so quick, illustrates just how accomplished a player he is. He also completed the most dribbles in the game, carrying the ball neatly through midfield, before releasing the front line.
A real captain’s display.
Villa (A)
I'm not quite sure what to expect from tonight’s game at Villa Park. A practical dead rubber for us, Villa will be determined for 3 points, to guarantee their place in the last 16. Kyogo has departed and Daizen Maeda is suspended for this one, meaning Adam Idah will surely start up top. As discussed, the squad needs re-enforcing and although the result matters little, it would be nice not to undermine, our good work so far.
A display similar, to the one in Atalanta, would be ideal.