The wealth of options available to Brendan Rodgers could see the Celtic boss rotate his team for this afternoon’s clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.
The Hoops go into the game off the back of a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Atalanta in Bergamo that has restored some pride to their Champions League campaign following the 7-1 mauling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund earlier in the month. Aberdeen’s narrow victory against Dundee United on Saturday night has seen the champions lose top spot in the Premiership for the time being, but Rodgers men will be going all out to go back to the summit against Stuart Kettlewell’s Steelmen in Lanarkshire.
Irishman Rodgers has been boosted with the news that defensive duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor are back in training, although it remains to be seen if they will be included from the start at Fir Park. But one man who will be hoping to make the most of some possible squad rotation is former Dundee skipper Luke McCowan.
The 26-year-old is yet to start a game for the champions since his summer switch from Dens Park, but could be brought into the team in place of Arne Engels or Reo Hatate to freshen things up for Celtic after their midweek commitments. Adam Idah will also be vying for a starting berth after coming off the bench in Bergamo, which could allow Kyogo Furuhashi to get a much-needed rest following his disciplined display in leading from the front in Italy.
Carter-Vickers return also poses problems for Rodgers, with the ex Liverpool boss needing to make a decision on who his defensive partner will be. Liam Scales has established himself as the regular fixture alongside the USA star, but the summer arrival of £5million compatriot Auston Trusty has also given the Hoops gaffer more food for thought.
Predicted Celtic XI
Provisional Celtic squad
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel
Viljami Sinisalo
Scott Bain
Defenders
Alistair Johnston
Anthony Ralston
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Liam Scales
Auston Trusty
Maik Nawrocki
Stephen Welsh
Greg Taylor
Alex Valle
Midfielders
Paulo Bernardo
Arne Engels
Reo Hatate
Odin Thiago Holm
Callum McGregor
Luke McCowan
Luis Palma
Yang Hyun-Jun
James Forrest
Nicolas Kuhn
Forwards
Kyogo Furuhashi
Daizen Maeda
Adam Idah
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