The eleven Celts that will deliver on Rodgers’ Champions League wish

Brendan Rodgers believes that his Celtic side already has a new identity.

Tomorrow night the hoops boss will attempt to take his side past Hapoel Beer Sheva into the group stage of the Champions League with his team selection all important.

Patrick Roberts is the only potential starter unavailable through injury but with Rodgers looking to bring in one more signing and Dorus de Vries poised to challenge Craig Gordon tomorrow’s team won’t quite be Rodgers Dream XI.

Three of the Irishman’s signings are certain to be in the side- Kolo Toure, Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair- but the rest of the starting XI is up for grabs.

In defence the return from injury of Erik Sviachenko will create greater competition while in midfield there are at least half a dozen options that Rodgers could go with.

One big bonus for the Celtic manager is the ten day break that Leigh Griffiths has enjoyed with the striker suspended for the Betfred Cup win over Motherwell and rested against Inter Milan at the weekend.

Team selection will be vital with Rodgers showing flexibility and tactical awareness in his choices so far with an imaginative use of substitutes making full use of his squad.

CLICK HERE for my guess at tomorrow’s Celtic side and feel free to throw in your own thoughts and suggestions.

 

CRAIG GORDON

The pressure on the former Hearts keeper has been upped considerably by the arrival of Dorus de Vries.

Competition for places is essential in football but when it comes to goalkeeping the pressure is taken to a different level.

On the back of a couple of wobbly performances Gordon now faces the biggest challenge of his Celtic career, de Vries is clearly a favourite of the manager but if Gordon performs to his best the Dutchman will need to bide his time.

 

MIKAEL LUSTIG

One of the few players with experience of getting through the play-off the Swede will have a big role to play against Hapoel.

So far this season he’s had to shuffle between right-back and central defence but with Sviachenko, O’Connell and Toure to choose from Lustig will be back in his preferred right-back role.

His overlapping runs seem to have been curtailed but with Sinclair in front of him that shouldn’t prove a problem allowing the former Rosenborg defender to concentrate on keeping things tight at the back.

 

KOLO TOURE

The former Liverpool player was signed with this fixture in mind, his experience and ability should be priceless to a team finding it’s way at this level.

His leadership qualities will be of great help to Eoghan O’Connell and Kieran Tierney who have never played at this level before.

Toure’s dedication to the art of defending is 100% although he is no slouch with the ball at his feet, he should revel in the atmosphere of a packed Celtic Park on a European night.

 

EOGHAN O’CONNELL

The now 21-year-old Irishman has been the find of the season so far but knows that competition is growing for a place in defence.

Erik Sviachenko is likely to have to sit this one out which is a real compliment to O’Connell.

Over the course of one month he has been transformed from a fringe player to a starter with promise, two strong performances against Hapoel should seal his place in defence for some time to come.

 

KIERAN TIERNEY

The teenager is absolutely essential to Rodgers’ side, it’s difficult to imagine going into an important match with anyone else at left-back.

He now has to deal with expectations having made so much progress so quickly but like the ground he covers down the left flank he is taking it in his stride.

When Hapoel are in possession he’ll be at left-back, when Celtic have the ball he’ll be overlapping down the left allowing Rogic to cut inside and get at the Israeli defence.

 

SCOTT SINCLAIR

Is in for a bit of a surprise after being blown away by the atmosphere at last week’s Betfred Cup win over Motherwell.

The former Aston Villa man has made a big impact in less than two matches but will be judged over the games against Hapoel.

At 27 years of age the lure of the Champions League must be huge and provide the perfect reply to those that questioned his move to Celtic rather than visit the bright lights of Burton and Rotherham.

 

SCOTT BROWN

The skipper has a vital role to play in a largely inexperienced side with a midfield that is still finding it’s feet.

A driving, commanding and disciplined performance is needed with Hapoel likely to be looking to spoil and break the game down at every opportunity.

Nurturing the backing from the fans into a positive impact on the park will be vital. Last season’s defeat from Malmo was a bitter disappointment for everyone at the club and will clearly be a motivating factor in ensuring success this time around.

 

CALLUM MCGREGOR

Has proved himself to a new manager and appears to be the perfect foil for Scott Brown.

A deeper midfield role has curtailed his attacking instincts but when the chances arise he knows what he is doing when he pushes towards the penalty box.

Like O’Connell a couple of commanding performances against Hapoel could cement his place in the team as he casts aside the tag of prospect or youngster. With bigger names on the sidelines he knows he has to produce.

 

TOM ROGIC

Last week transformed his role at Celtic with the award of a new contract and two goal performance against Motherwell.

He made a positive impact as a substitute against Astana with his goal threat likely to earn him a starting place against Hapoel.

In 2013/14 he was largely on the outside looking in on Celtic’s Champions League campaign, if he can help Celtic past Hapoel he’ll be looking to be centre stage when the action gets underway.

 

MOUSSA DEMBELE

Showed that he has the nerve for the big occasion with his penalty strike against Astana and followed that up with a double against Motherwell.

His partnership with Leigh Griffiths has hinted at potential but has yet to deliver the goals expected although it is early days for the partnership.

As the first signing made by Brendan Rodgers it would be the perfect sign of a new era and identity if the former Fulham striker can help Celtic into the group phase.

 

LEIGH GRIFFITHS

No one did more to get Celtic into the group phase last season than Griffiths another disappointment would be cruel on last season’s leading scorer.

His strike away to Astana turned that tie around and gave the team a burst of confidence and belief.

Striking in the SPFL will only ever be grudgingly respected, getting the chance to play against and prove himself against the best in Europe will be a big motivational factor for the striker who thrives in the limelight.