Bad bhoy returns to Brendan’s 4-2-3-1 side to see off Suduva

Whether they like it or not Dedryck Boyata will dominate the build up to Thursday’s Europa League play-off tie with Suduva.

The defender is expected to be in the squad that flies out to Lithuania on Wednesday with the prospect of whether he plays or not sure to be first up when Brendan Rodgers faces the media.

A week ago as he prepared his side to face AEK Athens the Celtic boss said that his first choice central defender wasn’t injured- but was hundreds of miles away in Glasgow as his team-mates prepared for one of the matches that shapes their season.

After training with the youth squad Boyata is back with the first team with the venue for the Suduva tie screening the 27-year-old from the anger of the Celtic support.

CLICK HERE for the XI to see off Suduva

That anger isn’t about missing out on an influential player in Athens, it’s about a player that few rate highly who seems to think that he is more important than the club.

There are ways to engineer a transfer, far far better players have left Celtic in the past but all parties will be hoping for a smooth departure before the transfer window closes- certainly smoother than the last fortnight.

Away from Boyata, Rodgers has a play-off tie to get through and two matches that should restore some confidence after a turbulent start to the season.

No more dramas are required, the full squad have been through tougher tests before with no excuses for failing to make it through to the group phase of the Europa League.

CRAIG GORDON

Was given a breather for the Thistle match but will be back in his usual place on Thursday night.

He didn’t have much chance with any of the three goals that AEK Athens scored, hopefully there won’t be as much to do against the Lithuanian’s.

A clean sheet, Rosenborg style, would be very welcome to safely negotiate our way into the group phase of UEFA’s consolation prize.

CRISTIAN GAMBOA

Didn’t do much wrong in the matches against Rosenborg and turned into an unlikely match winner against Partick Thistle.

He seems in better condition than Mikael Lustig following the World Cup but that may be more to do with his lack of club action last season!

His long term future and the identity of a new right-back can go on the back burner to ensure that we get through this tie.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

It won’t be popular with supporters, and possibly some team mates, but sometimes principles get set aside for pounds.

Boyata with a game under his belt is more appealing to a prospective buyer than the defender that hasn’t played since the World Cup group phase.

Whether he’ll play again at Celtic Park is another matter, hopefully a nice cheque from Sevilla will bring the issue to a conclusion.

KRIS AJER

Missed the defeats against Hearts and AEK Athens as Jack Hendry came in to a storm of criticism.

Ajer grabbed his chance last season but his development would be accelerated with the arrival of an older more experienced defender to help him out.

That doesn’t look like happening, in the meantime he is learning on the job and the first choice central defender to most fans.

KIERAN TIERNEY

After taking in the trip to Firhill with his pals in the stand he’ll be raring to go again in the competition that gave him his big break three years ago.

He has had to take on the role of being the most experienced and trusted defender at the age of 21 while still learning and developing his own game.

There’s unlikely to be anything that Suduva can thrown at him that he’s not dealt with before, hopefully he can impose himself on the match and put to use his 30 matches of European experience.

SCOTT BROWN

Never takes a breather, when he was missing last season it showed up badly in results.

There has been suggestions over recent weeks that he has been carrying an injury but his performances have barely dipped.

Some experienced help in defence would help Brown’s game a lot but for now he will continue as the player that provides leadership and influence.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

Has been linked with a few clubs in recent weeks but none of the speculation has come from the player.

Last season had a few flatter periods, this season he can really kick on to play more of a lead role with the Europa League the sort of level that he can certainly cut it at.

With Stuart Armstrong no longer an option it would be good to see Ntcham pushing towards double figures in terms of goals, he has everything in his game to manage that.

JAMES FORREST

A very experienced European campaigner, at this level his pace and know how should be a real problem for opponents- he dominated at home to Bayern Munich less than a year ago.

While most eyes have been on Dedryck Boyata it seems strange how little attention is being given to Forrest’s contract- he certainly deserves to be included alongside the top earners.

Like a few of his team-mates the drop in quality to Europa League should suit him, with more time on the ball going forward he can he a big threat in any group match.

TOM ROGIC

Has been a bit hit or miss so far this season, the matches against AEK weren’t his finest.

Preparing for the World Cup Finals, especially after missing out in 2014 will have taken an emotional toll but football never stands still and Rogic will want to kick on from his experiences in Russia.

His strike rate in Europe has been a bit below his usual rate but he is as likely as any of his team-mates to find the Suduva net.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

There has been a gradual return to form over the last couple of games with a goal in Athens and assist away to Partick Thistle.

If the arrival of Daniel Arzani doesn’t prompt an improvement in his game he could find himself on the sidelines watching the young Australian, Mikey Johnston or Lewis Morgan.

An on form Sinclair is a priceless asset, his goal tally for last season remained impressive but his influence diminished with Callum McGregor picked to play left midfield in the closing months.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

It is time for the main man to step forward again, he looked in good shape in his substitute appearances against AEK Athens and Partick Thistle.

The season started with so much promise until an hour into the return match against Alashkert when he pulled up with a hamstring strain.

After last season’s stop-start campaign it would be a big boost if he could be heading towards the 30 mark this term- even more so if there is another striker alongside him creating just as much damage.