Tomorrow’s match with Leicester City doesn’t quite have a Battle of Britain feel about it but if the two teams meet later this season in the Champions League it will come with all of the trimmings.
It may seem strange but two matches against Astana will have much more impact on Celtic’s season than the weekend fixtures against Leicester City and Barcelona.
Over the two matches against Lincoln Red Imps Brendan Rodgers got to see a significant number of players, some in the case of Efe Ambrose look to have played their way out of the side while Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong are banging on the door for a starting place in Kazakhstan.
For those that didn’t make the bench for either match time is running out to impress the new gaffer- especially for midfielders. With Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen both out injured and a 3-5-2 formation preferred it must have been worrying for Liam Henderson and Scott Allan to be watching from the stand.
The real action kicks off on Wednesday, if Rodgers can steer Celtic past Astana into the play-off round he’ll be within touching distance of the promised land- and reinforcements for his squad.
CLICK ON the gallery above for the five to try against Leicester.
Leo Fasan is starting his sixth season at Celtic-
a and has still to play a competitive match or go out on loan.
With Logan Bailly out of action for more than a month the 22-year-old could be an injury or red card for Craig Gordon away from being thrown into a Champions League qualifier.
After working with the first team on match-days and being a key part of Stevie Woods goalkeeping unit Fasan has an intimate knowledge on how Celtic defend.
Last season Craig Gordon was spared from playing on the plastic of New Douglas Park, with Astana also playing on plastic getting Fasan decent game time is essential.
He may have waved farewell at the end of last season but Emilio Izaguirre
a was back in action against Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday.
The Player of The Year winner of 2011 is unlikely to return but a fully fit and trusted Izzy could have a significant part to play in the season ahead.
Even as cover for Kieran Tierney the Honduran internationalist has a role to play although playing on the left of a midfield five could be another worthwhile option.
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Despite assurances that he had a part to play under the new manager Scott Allan
a failed to make the bench in either game against Lincoln Red Imps.
His signing from Hibs last season brought a lot of attention onto the midfielder but it seemed obvious fairly early on that playing time would be limited.
During his regular 15 minute cameo appearances Allan’s talent was obvious but at the same time he seemed too keen to make a favourable impression, trying the eye catching pass too often ahead of the simple option.
Chances look like being limited going by the early season selections, a start against Leicester tomorrow could provide Rodgers with a new option for the Astana ties.
Despite gaining valuable experience on loan at Hibs last season life at Celtic doesn’t look like it’s getting any easier for Liam Henderson.
A five man midfield would seem to offer more options with the 20-year-old capable of playing in any of the three central positions.
Although he didn’t play every week under Alan Stubbs Henderson did gain some great big match experience, the pain of losing out on promotion and the League Cup to Hibs compensated for by a starring role from the bench in the Scottish Cup Final.
Like Allan, excelling against Leicester is essential for Henderson’s hopes
Nadir Ciftci scored the first goal of the Brendan Rodgers era,
a away to NK Celje, but a more significant impact against Astana would be very welcome.
It’s doubtful if Rodgers has any long term plans for the former Dundee United striker but having got rid of four forwards during the close season Ciftci finds himself promoted to third choice striker.
At some stage Leigh Griffiths or Moussa Dembele are likely to be injured or out of form- a ready made back-up striker could be priceless.