Celtic take on Feyenoord in Matchday Six of the UEFA Champions League, as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to sign off their European journey on a high.
In what has been a largely disappointing campaign for his team, Rodgers will be hoping for at least one consolation in the form of a home win, which the club has not achieved since 2013, a 2-1 win over Ajax. Celtic have just one point after five games, which ensures that they will be out of European competition at full-time, regardless of the result on the night.
In the first game at De Kuip in Rotterdam on Matchday One, Celtic were defeated 2-0 by the Dutch champions, managed by Arne Slot. The masters of their downfall, Rodgers’ side would concede a soft free-kick conversion in stoppage time at the end of the first half, before red cards to Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm would effectively seal the game as a contest. The match would finish 2-0, with that defeat effectively setting the tone for much of Celtic’s dismal campaign in Europe.
READ MORE: The four Celtic factors that have led to recent drop in form
With Celtic not firing on all cylinders recently, suggestions of rotating the team might not be out of the equation for this game, especially given the bleak reality of where the team find themselves both in the group and Europe as a whole.
Regardless, this will still be a game that Rodgers and his men will want to win, especially given the financial boost that each win gives you in the Champions League. With that in mind, who will start for Celtic in their final European match this season? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay has his say…
Ryan McGinlay
Well, it is safe to say that Europe has not gone to plan for Celtic or Rodgers whatsoever. A lack of good luck aside, Celtic have not been good enough over the course of the group stage to deserve even a drop-down to the Europa League in truth.
Even still, the team have got to show a response, particularly to events which happened last weekend at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock. That result was a shock to the system, though at the same time not unsurprising, so a return to form is needed for this one.
With Celtic and Feyenoord both now fully aware of their respective European fates, I believe this upcoming match will be a fast-flowing shootout between the champions of Scotland and The Netherlands at Celtic Park under the floodlights. Because of this reality, I expect there to be changes to the starting line-up as a result.
In goals, Joe Hart will start what could be his final Champions League game for Celtic and potentially his career as a result. The former England international has been a great servant for the club, but Father Time stops for no one, and the regression in his game over the past few months or so have been noticeable. This position was one – of a few - that Celtic could have strengthened in the summer, though they chose to stick with what they had. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but could the club have had better results in Europe if they had signed a younger goalkeeper? I guess we’ll never know.
The defence is yet again an interesting one, as you would imagine there could be some changes after Sunday’s collapse at Kilmarnock. Despite returning to training, Cameron Carter-Vickers is unavailable for selection due to injury, though his chances of featuring were already slim due to his importance to the team going forward. With Maik Nawrocki not registered for the Champions League and Stephen Welsh just returning from his own injury troubles, it has to be a pairing of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales. After a disastrous performance at Rugby Park, the Nat Phillips experiment must end for Rodgers and Celtic, with his loan deal up in a few weeks anyway. Slow both on and off the ball, the Liverpool loanee cannot realistically feature for Celtic again, therefore allowing his temporary spell to come to a natural conclusion.
READ MORE: Did Celtic's Mikey Johnston do enough at Rugby Park to stay?
At right and left-back it will be Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor, who both have struggled this season in Europe for the club. In the case of Taylor especially, his position will be one that could and probably should be strengthened next month, especially with Alexandro Bernabei nowhere near the team at the minute. If Celtic are to improve in Europe next year, then Taylor cannot realistically start for the club in continental competition going forward.
The midfield is similarly an area of much intrigue and interest, as it has faced several chops and changes over this season so far. You would imagine captain Callum McGregor will maintain his spot – as he plays virtually every game, for better or worse – but how far up the pitch will he be positioned? I believe there will be a return to the number six role for McGregor, with Paulo Bernardo playing just ahead of him in the centre of midfield. Although Bernardo does not get much game-time in the league, his running and industry make him a reliable option for Rodgers to call upon when needed, in front of other midfielders such as David Turnbull, for example. As much as there is a temptation to rest Matt O’Riley, he is a vital player in the midfield for Celtic and will be positioned as the highest midfielder for Rodgers’ side in the match.
In the forward areas, there will be some rotation, but a welcome return to the starting line-up for Kyogo Furuhashi, who has had to make do with a bench spot for the past couple of games in favour of Oh Hyeon-gyu. Celtic’s top goalscorer in the competition with two, Kyogo will be given the task to get back on form in time for some big upcoming games domestically. A return of three goals would indicate a marked improvement for the striker in Europe, especially given the team’s fortunes in the Champions League this year. Luis Palma will be given the chance to double his Champions League goalscoring tally, whilst there will be a return to the side for James Forrest in place of Mikey Johnston. Quite simply put, Johnston has squandered the last two chances afforded to him, which will prompt Rodgers to award a start to one of his most tried and trusted players in the shape of veteran winger Forrest.
Ryan’s team: Hart; Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Bernardo; Forrest, O’Riley, Palma, Kyogo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here