Ange Postecoglou’s Major Starting XI Decision

Following last week’s disappointment, changes may need to be in order as Celtic travel to the town of Bodo to face Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League tie.

The performance seemed like freak results considering Celtic’s recent streak of performances, having not lost since the 25th November against Bayer Leverkusen. Lots of fans’ criticism was aimed at left-back Greg Taylor, as Ola Solbakken got a lot of joy down the right flank, and Taylor was inevitably dropped for Sunday’s game against Dundee. 

Josip Juranovic turned out at left-back for that fixture to accommodate Anthony Ralston coming in at right back, but again Celtic didn’t get a lot down the left flank, especially considering The Croatian is one of Celtic’s most valuable attacking assets when playing at right-back. In fact, Juranovic’s best moment came when he recovered possession and bombed down the right as opposed to his left-back position, which eventually led to Ralston assisting Giakoumakis’ winner. 

That’s two games in a row where Celtic have struggled at left-back. So, do Celtic make another change and try Liam Scales at left-back, do they try again with Greg Taylor even after he struggled up against Solbakken, or do they persist with the lineup against Dundee following Anthony Ralston’s key role in the winner? 

Despite his impressive performance whenever he plays, Ange doesn’t seem like Liam Scales’s biggest supporter as seen by his persistence with Greg Taylor on a weekly basis, so a start for the Irishman could be fairly unlikely. 

Anthony Ralston’s performance against Dundee at the weekend was again very good, but for me, too often has he been exposed against European competition this season, whereas Josip Juranovic has shined at right-back so it seems like Ralston may have to remain on the bench.

Taking all of these factors into account, it would seem that starting Juranovic at right-back and persisting with Greg Taylor at left-back is the most likely course of action, and it would remain to be seen whether this would be the right decision or not.

Left-back is the most important decision Ange will make on Thursday, and Ange has many factors to consider before naming his team, Ange usually makes the right decisions, but it is going to take impressive performances all across the board if Celtic are going to advance into the next round.