Celtic side to take on and beat Ross County

Since the start of the season Brendan Rodgers has been shaking his squad up from game to game with only Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown and Scott Sinclair as regulars.

Tuesday’s defeat from Paris Saint Germain coupled with upcoming trips to Sevco and Anderlecht will have a bearing on Rodgers’ thoughts although he’ll not tolerate anyone taking their eye off the domestic prize.

Elsewhere on Video Celts we asked about Brown being given a break with Rodgers having enough depth to his squad to afford his skipper a mini-break before next weekends trip to Ibrox.

Away to Hamilton the hoops boss varied his preferred selection with just three defenders giving him a wealth of attacking options.

Ross County are on a grim run of form and come to Glasgow with little in the way of expectations.

Jim McIntyre has a good reputation in the game but will almost certainly be on a damage limitation exercise.

Some fresh faces, a new formation and a sprinkling of goals will keep the hoops clear at the top of the table, clear the Champions League hangover and set down a marker with three different competitions tackled away from home in the matches following the visit of the highlanders.

CRAIG GORDON

Recent form isn’t looking too impressive, chopping and changing in central defence doesn’t help but there hasn’t been much in the way of outstanding form from the Scotland keeper.

He wasn’t directly at fault for any of the PSG goals but at this level the top keepers intervene and influence results and that seems to be missing from Gordon’s game.

Clean sheets are their currency, four clean sheets will be incredibly welcome.

TONY RALSTON

Would welcome a nice quiet run of the mill performance to help him bed into the side.

Jim McIntyre’s side won’t have any £200m strikers which should give our 18-year the chance to settle down and build on the midweek experience.

Every game is vital to his development with two big tests looming ahead away to Sevco and Anderlecht.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

Was shaken up by PSG and conceded a very uncharacteristic penalty.

Stability is key in his position but in the current circumstances each individual must provide their own leadership.

Ross County won’t provide too much of a threat but a clean sheet is very important to get back to winning ways and sending out a domestic message.

KIERAN TIERNEY

Had a difficult night against PSG but wasn’t alone in that.

He is gaining a good insight into the game through playing in other defensive roles but is at his best when selected at left back.

KT has played an awful of football this season but knows what is at stake and what is coming up and can be relied on to return a 7 out of 10 performance.

CALLUM MCGREGOR

Was very unlucky to miss out against PSG but a new long term contract confirms his value to the squad.

Since the turn of the year his game has moved up a gear with the welcome versatility that allows him to play almost anywhere across the midfield.

His presence adds poise to the midfield, with an injection of life needed after Tuesday night he can deliver the passes, drive and goal threat needed.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

Like many he had no real answer to the power play of PSG but he is very new to Celtic and will develop.

It didn’t work out for him in the 1-1 draw against St Johnstone but it can’t be easy adapting from playing for Genoa to a side expected to dominate home and away.

At his best he could be a match winner against Sevco and Anderlecht, as he was against Astana but he needs the game time to get upto the standards expected at Celtic.

JAMES FORREST

It wasn’t a surprise to see him drop out after the 4-1 win at Hamilton but despite the signing of Patrick Roberts he has a big part to play for Celtic.

His pace can be used to great effect against defensive opponents, he can also track back when needed and understands what Rodgers looks for from his side.

Ross County won’t enjoy facing an array of attacking options with Forrest well capable of causing damage.

PATRICK ROBERTS

This could be the fixture to take him off the wing and play him inside.

He tried manfully but was crowded out against PSG, he was probably the Celtic player that could get closest to the standards of the French side.

In his two appearances so far he has shown that he has the awareness to do plenty of damage and doesn’t need to be confined to the flanks.

TOM ROGIC

Had a bit of a helpless task on Wednesday coming into a side losing 3-0.

He made a few useful runs but didn’t have much support and seemed to run out of ideas against very well drilled opponents.

The Australian will be an important player over the next run of games and knows that he has to take every chance that comes his way.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

By his own standards Tuesday night was definitely an off night.

Ross Conty will be more to his liking and he knows that redemption comes next Saturday when Celtic visit Ibrox.

Although he has been in among the goals this season there has also been a lot of missed chances which he will be out to improve on.

ODSONNE EDOUARD

The young Frenchman impressed on his debut at Hamilton and will enjoy the wide open spaces of Celtic Park and a grass pitch.

Tuesday night took a lot out of Leigh Griffiths who can’t be risked with Moussa Dembele on the comeback trail.

Edouard’s pace can soften up the Ross County defence before making way for the return of Dembele.