Celtic side to face Anderlecht

Only once before, in a Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren, has Brendan Rodgers named an unchanged team.

The Celtic boss has a big squad to choose from with a real variety of midfield talent to select from as he judges the demands of each fixture that his side faces.

Saturday’s win at Ibrox looked like a good warm up for the Champions League tie with Anderlecht but after going with a few ‘local’ players he is likely to go for a slightly more continental approach on Wednesday night.

Anderlecht will provide a far more searching test of Celtic defensively which is hardly rocket science after the powder puff ‘threat’ from Sevco. Henri Onyekuru is a big step up in class from Alfredo Morelos.

Rodgers has already gone on record saying that a point would be a good result, while that approach is 100% accurate it’s a slight change on his previous comments where every game is there to be won.

The Celtic boss has side starting XI in mind two games in advance, it is one game at a time but Patrick Roberts was replaced at Ibrox to give him a breather before going in against the Belgian champions.

Rodgers probably has a good idea about when he will make his substitutions in Brussels, no stone is left unturned with the one certainty being that anything Celtic take from the match will be a 14 man job.

CRAIG GORDON

Looks to be heading back to form with that double save against Ross County and a great instinctive stop from Alfredo Morelos at Ibrox.

His eye seems to be in despite losing five against PSG on the back of a poor goal conceded to Hamilton Accies.

Anderlecht will be a much tougher test than the tribute act but a confident showing from Gordon can spread across the whole team on the way to a vital point or three.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

Had a few shaky moments at Ibrox but for the time being he is a better bet than Tony Ralston for Champions League matches.

The greater level of concentration needed against the Belgian side should bring out the best in Lustig who has buckets of club and international experience to call upon.

He won’t be required to push up very often but can make a vital contribution to set pieces at each end of the park.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

Was the last man standing a few weeks ago when he was joined by various stand-in defenders but now has the chance to rebuild his partnership with Dedryck Boyata.

With his new contract signed there will be less speculation about an early departure allowing him to build up a solid run of form without distractions.

Anderlecht away is the sort of fixture that you look for a telling contribution from big money signings, in Celtic terms Simunovic is a major investment.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

A massive night for the defender who’ll be starting his third game of the season.

Anderlecht were linked with a move for the former Manchester City man last season but Brendan Rodgers had a cunning plan for his rehabilitation.

Wins and clean sheets at Ibrox are welcome, a clean sheet against Anderlecht would be priceless and open the door to an extended European run.

KIERAN TIERNEY

Will have his defensive ability tested in this fixture but quickly stubbed out the ‘threat’ posed by Sevco down the right wing.

It’s at this level that the young defender will be judged but he has handled every test so far even that of Raheem Sterling.

He has revelled in Celtic’s Champions League qualification over the last two seasons- extending this season’s adventure beyond Christmas is the new target.

SCOTT BROWN

A week ago he looked tired, on Saturday at Ibrox he looked like he owned the place as he took to 40-60 challenges with vigour.

Last season’s Champions League campaign took his game to a new level, this sort of fixture is one that he can impose himself on and play a skipper’s role.

He’ll be on top of everything from the first whistle- and expecting exactly the same from all of his team-mates.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

Missed out on Ibrox but likely to start this one where more defensive nous will be required.

After two seasons with Genoa in Serie A he is used to playing in games where he is required to dig in and stop the other side from playing.

When Brendan Rodgers sanctioned a £4.5m transfer fee in the summer this was the sort of fixture that he was looking for a dividend from.

PATRICK ROBERTS

Did his job almost perfectly at Ibrox and justified his place with one brilliant pass into the path of Leigh Griffiths.

Anderlecht will be well aware of his potential to cause problems but whatever the marking it won’t be tighter than the treatment he received from Paris Saint Germain.

It’s still early days in his return to Celtic but he’s more than capable of being a match winner or at least creating a point which in this group would be precious.

CALLUM MCGREGOR

Has been used sparingly recently but is more defensively minded than Tom Rogic and can fill in behind the striker perfectly.

He rarely wastes the ball which is essential in these type of fixtures.

With his eye for goal he can hurt Anderlecht when required but linking effectively with Brown and Ntcham will make obtaining a result more likely.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

Had a poor game against Paris Saint Germain in common with many of his team mates.

This match gives him a better opportunity to shine with Celtic looking to hurt the Belgians on the break.

A Champions League goal would be welcome but he has a big overall contribution to make and won’t be too proud to drop back and assist Kieran Tierney.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

His more physical approach is likely to be more important than the pace and trickery of Leigh Griffiths.

It’s been a slow route back to fitness for the Frenchman but he’ll be ready for this one knowing that his progress is being watched by all the big hitters.

A strong 60-70 minutes from Dembele could soften Anderlecht up allowing Griffiths to prosper as the game reaches a crucial stage.