Celtic face Chelsea in Indiana tonight at 9 pm, marking their final game of their pre-season tour in America. Celtic have shown impressive form, having defeated DC United 4-0 and Manchester City 4-3. With just a week to go until the SPFL kicks off again, Brendan Rodgers has named his final pre-season squad, aiming to field a strong side.
A significant boost for the team is the inclusion of Cameron Carter-Vickers, making his first appearance this pre-season. The American international joined the squad later due to his participation in the Copa America with the USA. Since then, he has been working on getting back to full fitness. Tonight’s match marks his first start since the Scottish Cup final at the end of May, where Celtic secured a dramatic 1-0 win against Rangers in the dying moments.
Rodgers has likely fielded a starting XI tonight that resembles the one we will see against Kilmarnock next Sunday. This is partly because the squad remains unchanged from last season, with no new outfield players signed. This lack of new signings has left the team lighter than last season, adding pressure on the existing squad members to perform at their best.
Celtic fans will be keen to see how the team fares against Chelsea, a strong Premier League side, and how players like CCV integrate back into the squad. The match will provide crucial insights into the team’s readiness for the upcomingg SPFL season and give Rodgers a final chance to fine-tune his tactics.
Kuhn missing as a precaution hopefully?
Suppose that we have to expect the use of Mikey Johnston as a striker later in the game also?
Got a feeling that Rodgers is potentially looking at Mikey as making up our homegrown quota, with the option of playing wide left or through the centre?
As a potential position within our 25man squad?
Seen nothing yet to suggest it has the potential of working out for ourselves?
And would be amazed if tonight was the night it clicked and worked out very well for ourselves, as an option in the making imo?
Would have thought Yang would have been worth trying and possibly a better option than Johnston as an emergency striker imo?