Before Friday’s match at Partick Thistle Alan Archibald claimed that Celtic’s second XI were good enough to win the league.
The size of Brendan Rodgers squad has been well documented, on Friday night Liam Henderson was unable to make the bench despite injuries to Kieran Tierney, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest.
Over the course of this month the squad will be used in full before the winter break brings the chance to assess the progress that has been made over the season to date.
As John Hartson explained there are five players currently at the club that wouldn’t be missed if they leave in January but even excluding them Rodgers can still feel a strong second choice XI.
The closest that the Irishman has come to playing a second XI was at Ross County when he made eight changes between the Betfred Cup semi-final and a league trip to Pittodrie.
At that time the following side emerged as the first choice:
Gordon
Lustig Sviatchenko Simunovic Tierney
Brown Armstrong
Forrest Rogic Sinclair
Dembele
Away from that side there are plenty of options
DORUS DE VRIES
Had a run in the side shortly after joining from Nottingham Forest but failed to make any impact.
Rodgers had sang his praises but was forced to take action showing that he wasn’t too proud to admit to an error.
After a few months at Celtic he should have a far better understanding of the club and the changes in Rodgers approach since their days together at Swansea.
CRISTIAN GAMBOA
Started the match away to Partick Thistle and clearly has the full confidence of his manager.
Having started the matches away to Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach the former West Brom man shouldn’t have too many difficulties dealing with domestic opponents on a weekly basis.
His arrival certainly seems to have given Mikel Lustig a jolt.
KOLO TOURE
Had an unfortunate time of it recently at Motherwell which was largely down to his lack of match practise.
This author won’t forget his display away to Hapoel Be’er Sheva, there’s little doubt that his presence in the centre of defence held the entire team together.
A defender who likes to defend will always be popular with managers, Toure still has it as Be’er Sheva discovered.
EOGHAN O’CONNELL
Showed at the start of the season that he can step up to play in Champions League qualifiers and rise to the occasion.
With the big names returning and Toure’s arrival there seems little prospect of O’Connell getting another run of games.
Every manager in the SPFL would love to bring him into their team, with a run of matches he will only improve.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
Has returned to the team with ease despite effectively being on the outside looking in for a year.
He knows what is required in domestic football and is rarely found wanting.
Under Rodgers his game is less attack orientated but he still carries the ability to burst forward even though his crossing is far from consistent.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
Another player who got a good run in the team at the start of the season before being edged aside.
He has been trusted with Champions League experience and is a cut above SPFL opponents, showing great awareness and maturity with his recent goals against Motherwell and Partick Thistle.
McGregor is adaptable to play in almost any midfield role but is best utilised in the holding role.
NIR BITTON
Has lost his place in the team to Stuart Armstrong but plays a much different game to the former Dundee United midfielder.
Bitton’s biggest asset is creating time on the ball, he is rarely rushed and will always take an extra touch to buy time.
His type of player is a real rarity in the SPFL, any other side would build their team around the Israeli.
PATRICK ROBERTS
Good enough for the Champions League but unable to get in front of James Forrest domestically.
Roberts showed with his goal against Manchester City and passing away to Borussia Monchengladbach that he can play at the highest level.
As a winger or central midfielder he’d make life very difficult for any opponent with bravery to match his skill.
RYAN CHRISTIE
Was the star man at Inverness Caley Thiste a year ago but hasn’t made the breakthrough at Celtic.
Despite his appearance against Thistle he has been on and off the substitute bench all season.
Other SPFL clubs would love to have someone like Christie who does things differently and opens up packed defences.
LIAM HENDERSON
Turned the Scottish Cup Final for Hibs in May but finding his chances limited back at Celtic.
He has the tenancy to try to do too much to impress when he’s on the ball. His passing and vision should be doing the talking for him.
As he demonstrated at Hibs he has the measure of Scottish opponents and would revel in getting regular match time.
LEIGH GRIFFITHS
Last season’s 40 goal striker is this season’s super-sub- that’s the cruel fate of football.
He can count himself unlucky to have picked up an early season injury- and exceptionally unlucky to find Moussa Dembele stepping into his place.
With two assists and one goal at Firhill he is exactly the type of striker that every club would like to call upon.