Celtic are set to name their Champions League squad for the knockout stages.
With three players having left Celtic over the last month—Kyogo, Stephen Welsh, Luis Palma, and Alex Valle—all drop out, with Jota, Johnny Kenny, and Jeffrey Schlupp set to be added before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
However, with Welsh out, Celtic can only add three players to the knockout squad, with Dane Murray instead being listed as a B-list player, meaning he could yet play a part for the Hoops without counting as an addition.
Most supporters would have hoped that it would be a new signing replacing Kyogo in the Champions League knockout squad, but it is instead Johnny Kenny, with the Irish striker set to be given a huge opportunity against Bayern Munich over two legs.
Celtic fan messaged to ask me about the fact Celtic had more than 3 players leaving the squad this transfer window (Steven Welsh also left) – doesn’t matter, can still only make 3 additions to the European squad.
Dane Murray however counts for the ‘B’ list and so can be listed…
— Scotland’s Coefficient (@scotlandscoeff1) February 6, 2025
Kenny may not start each game, but could play a part off the bench. For a player who was playing in the Conference League for Shamrock Rovers during the first six months of the season, this is a big step up.
Jeffrey Schlupp, who made his Celtic debut last night against Dundee at Celtic Park, could play a vital role for Celtic, with Alex Valle often coming off the bench in European games to add a different dimension at left-back. With Schlupp’s physicality and pace, it is a different option for Brendan Rodgers to have.
Jota for Luis Palma is arguably the biggest positive change in the Champions League squad, with the superstar from Portugal marking his second Celtic Park debut last night with a wonderful assist for Daizen Maeda’s first goal.
Must must you go with the players start saying i qush this is wish that means you have no faith in the players you have thats teams dangerous and bayern no it i wish the didn’t if they go to Cektic park level the jitters will start even 2 goal lead is close call there is not a team in spl that can come close to Celtic most teams play park the bus waist time slowing game down even our nearest rivals do it but the couldn’t if ref warns them then booking them you see it in other leagues it’s all about entertaining and having athletes walking to retrieve balls taking corners you could put an advert into the time it takes some teams to get ball back in play fir park had cones to sit ball on 25yards away either side of goal post with ball boys behind advertising signs motherwell goalkeeper just walking 25yds back and forward and the ref is watching pointing to your watch is no good book him he will think twice same with out field players
Jota has three debuts for Celtic.
What a player !