It has been a testing week for Celtic – and Brendan Rodgers could shuffle his pack in a bid to spark a reaction after the Borussia Dortmund showdown.
Ross County are next up for the Scottish Premiership leaders as they look to take a step ahead of Aberdeen and Rangers before their kick-off later in the day. But after the miserable result in the Champions League the boss could find his ruthless streak and bench a host of stars that were given the nod in the starting line-up against the Bundesliga heavyweights.
Cameron Carter-Vickers remains sidelined and will be joined out of the picture by Greg Taylor after the Scottish international picked up a knock. Barcelona loanee Alex Valle is the natural replacement and will likely get the nod – while Auston Trusty will likely rack up more minutes at the heart of the defence alongside Liam Scales.
Alistair Johnston limped off in midweek and has pulled out of the Canada squad with international boss Jesse Marsch stating he is “rehabbing” a back injury. Rodgers could wrap the right-back in cotton wool by giving Anthony Ralston the nod.
Paulo Bernardo started ahead of Reo Hatate in midweek. However, the £3.5m summer recruit could drop out of the engine room to make space for the Japan international.
Kyogo has been the go-to man to lead the line this season – with Adam Idah desperate for a start. In the Highlands, the Ireland international could get the call from the start after four goals in his last fives games for Celtic. Nicolas Kuhn struggled to make his mark in Dortmund – and Rodgers could turn to experience to give the winger a break. James Forrest could earn a recall.
Predicted Celtic XI
Celtic squad in full
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel
Viljami Sinisalo
Scott Bain
Defenders
Alistair Johnston
Liam Scales
Auston Trusty
Alex Valle
Maik Nawrocki
Anthony Ralston
Stephen Welsh
Midfielders
Reo Hatate
Luis Palma
Nicolas Kuhn
Yang Hyun-jun
Luke McCowan
Arne Engels
Paulo Bernardo
Callum McGregor
James Forrest
Adam Montgomery
Forwards
Kyogo Furuhashi
Adam Idah
Daizen Maeda