Neil Lennon’s squad options increased tonight as the Celtic boss watched his side beat KR Reykjavik 6-0 to move into the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League.
Hatem Abd Elhamed and Nir Bitton moved into the defence to provide options in personnel and formation with 3-5-2 again becoming viable.
With half an hour left to play another option opened up, in the most fiercely contested section of the team.
Olivier Ntcham replaced Scott Brown to team up with Callum McGregor, putting his stamp on the game long before he threaded through the pass for Moi Elyounoussi to complete the scoring.
When the team is announced to face Dundee United on Saturday one position will be viewed more than any other. Whether Brown or Ntcham is left out they’ll have cause to feel hard done by.
Brown has been hearing for at least four years that he is past it. His legs have gone, he slows play up, he’s holding back the progress of other players. Every time he ignores the noise before storming back to top form, playing the key role in the last decade of success.
There will be rotation this season with a massive amount of games to be played, even so there will almost always be a recognised first XI with Tom Rogic lagging outside of the preferred group.
Broony is the man in possession but more than a few fans want to see Ntcham back in the firing line, while EPL clubs look on intrigued by his absence from Celtic’s regular starting XI.
The Celts sail through to the Second Qualifying Round of the @ChampionsLeague! ?#CELKRR #UCL pic.twitter.com/lRRdxGj7qR
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 18, 2020
Start Ntcham every game
— Drew Dawson ? (@DrewDawson21) August 18, 2020
Very pleasing game, everything that you want from these early euro rounds.
Special mention for Moi, Elhamed, and the substitute Ntcham.
HH— Clash City Rocker (@clash_rocker) August 18, 2020
tell lennon to start ntcham. thanks laith
— lewis* (@LB67_) August 18, 2020
Please more Ntcham
— Raymond Christie #BLM (@mondo_christie) August 18, 2020
Ntcham must play. Ajeti 2-3 weeks away by the looks of it but overall good game
— Celtic (@dembele259) August 18, 2020