Chris Sutton believes that Neil Lennon’s biggest decision today is also his easiest. It has to be Ismaila Soro ahead of Scott Brown in the Celtic midfield.
The young Ivorian has started just five matches for Celtic but alongside David Turnbull has changed the shape and dynamic of a faltering Celtic side. Together in four SPFL matches they have helped Celtic to a winning run of full points without losing a single goal.
Going to Ibrox without Brown would have been unthinkable in recent seasons but after starting virtually every match of the season the veteran skipper was rested against Lille with Soro seizing his opportunity.
Sutton told Daily Record readers:
Lennon has some huge decisions to make, right across his team. The main one should be straight forward. Isamaila Soro has to start ahead of Scott Brown.
That’s not me putting the boot in to the Celtic captain. He’s been a tremendous servant for the club and a big game player. He was back in the side for the ***Betfred Cup Final and I thought he was Celtic’s best player.
But Lennon can’t leave out Soro now. David Turnbull has helped turn the season around but Soro has played his part as well and it would be massively unfair to leave him out now. He’s earned the right to play and that means making the hard call to leave out Brown  against Steven Gerrard’s side.
Lennon is in a difficult position here. He has to stick to the diamond formation that has helped get the campaign back on the rails in recent weeks. If he was to change his system and not get a result there will be fans back out protesting in the Parkhead car park.
***Should be Scottish Cup Final
Lennon does have another option which would be to withdraw a striker and add Brown into his midfield.
Gerrard won’t have Scott Arfield or Ryan Jack available which puts a greater onus on Steve Davis against what looks like a lively, younger Celtic midfield.
Lennon has big decisions to make in defence with a lot dependent on the fitness of Chris Jullien who was stretchered off against Dundee United on Wednesday.