Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he got it wrong by axing Craig Gordon.
The former Sunderland keeper was dropped in favour of Dorus de Vries following Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Hapoel Beer Sheva but will start tonight’s clash with Manchester City.
De Vries has had a miserable time in goals with Inverness Caley Thistle and Kilmarnock both finding the net with speculative long range efforts.
Gordon replaced de Vries at half time during the 6-1 win over Kilmarnock with Rodgers happy to discuss the process involved and admitting that he got the timing of the switch wrong.
“Dorus isn’t 100 per cent and there is no need to take a risk for this game when I’ve got an outstanding goalkeeper beside him,” the Celtic boss stated. “So Craig will play and I’m sure he’s really looking forward to it.
“The beauty of it is Craig wants to improve and I think he has done. He’s a great fellow.
“You have to recognise and acknowledge with players that it’s difficult for them. He and I had a real good chat when I was going to make the change.
“I maybe made the change too early. Dorus was injured and he had come back, and maybe I pushed him in too early, to try to impose the way we want to work.
“I take that responsibility but the bottom line is we have to win games and Craig and I looked at areas we think he can improve on. He’s gone away with Stevie Woods and when he has come into training he’s been brilliant, taking it on board.
“It’s given him a determination and when you’re fighting for your place and your position, it allows you to perform better and focus. He’s been absolutely first class.”