Five Celtic players who need to impress against Motherwell
As far as Brendan Rodgers is concerned it’s business as usual tonight as Celtic take on Motherwell in the Betfred Cup- the hoops boss won’t be rotatiting or experimenting seven days before the visit of Hapoel Beer Sheva.
With upto £30m available from reaching the group stage of the Champions League nothing can be taken for granted with Motherwell being treated as seriously as Hapoel, Astana and even Lincoln Red Imps…
With his eye for detail it won’t have escaped the Irishman just how poor Celtic’s record is in this tournament, running through the list of recent reverses is too painful a task.
Rodgers impact seems to be spreading throughout the club with, if he an ensure that the players involved tonight are as focussed and clued up it’ll make for another uncomfortable night for the Lanarkshire side.
Building momentum and avoiding banana skins is essential as the goodwill generated by the new manager takes root, with the quarter-final draw taking place at Celtic Park after the math it is essential that the hoops go into the draw with a confident win as the clock ticks towards Hapoel next Wednesday.
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CRAIG GORDON
The 33-year-old has come through many challenges in his career and now faces a very traditional opponent- the transfer target.
Replacing Fraser Forster looked a thankless task but within a couple of months there were more than a few Celtic fans arguing the case for the former Hearts keeper.
Gordon could have another five years in the tank but will be well aware of the possibilities while the transfer window remains open, football is a cut throat business especially for keepers.
EOGHAN O’CONNELL
Every game is vital for the young centre-half as he seeks to establish himself in the Celtic side.
As he said in the pre-match media conference he never lost belief in his ability- now Brendan Rodgers is a firm believer and singing his praises.
Erik Sviachenko isn’t certain to be available for next week’s match with Hapoel Beer Sheva giving O’Connell another couple of outings to cement his place in the team. Whether it’s a back three or four the bhoy from Cork is perfectly at home.
KOLO TOURE
Within a week he has supporters and team-mates purring at his instant impact on the team.
Sunday’s performance against Hearts was a master-class in the art of defending, the more Hearts threw at him the greater he enjoyed it.
Although he was registered in time for the Astana matches it’s the ties with Hapoel Beer Sheva that his influence will really be called upon.
Forming an understanding with Gordon and O’Connell will go a long way towards helping Celtic into the group stage- Motherwell will offer a different type of challenge but it seems that the former Liverpool defender is on top of things regardless of the opponents.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
With Kieran Tierney nursing a shoulder injury the Honduran full-back is in line for a rare competitive outing.
His descent over the last 12 months has been stark but as the new deals for Tom Rogic and James Forrest demonstrate a new manager can indeed act as a new broom throughout a club.
After years without any genuine competition the arrival of Tierney has blown Izzy out of the water. His experience can never be discounted however, if Celtic are in the group phase of the Champions League bringing in Emilio’s experience to give Tierney a breather would be wise- provided the stand in can match the exploits of the young master.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
Earned the respect and gratitude of the supporters with that penalty against Astana- adding to that strike will help him settle in to a whole new environment.
With Leigh Griffiths suspended the onus is on Dembele to deliver the goals, his record at Fulham suggests he’ll manage that but the demands and expectations of Celtic has floored plenty of strikers in the past.
Strikers live off their goal record, it would be great if the former Fulham man is pushing Griffiths all the way up the scoring charts.