Celtic travel to Rome this week as they aim to secure their first Champions League win of the season. Taking three points off Lazio will be a tough ask, but their home performance against the Italians will give the Hoops some confidence.
At Parkhead, the Celts put in an admirable display but were ultimately undone by a last-minute winner. This time around, Brendan Rodgers’ mean will be hoping for a different outcome. Ahead of the match, we give you a predicted lineup.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Joe Hart will keep his place between the sticks. At centre-half, it is certain Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales will partner up with Greg Taylor starting at left-back. At right-back, Alistair Johnston will come in for Anthony Ralston.
Midfield
The back four is set, although there is a key debate in the middle of the park. Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley are certs to get the nod, although the third spot in the Hoops’ engine room is up for grabs.
Odin Holm was hooked at half-time versus Motherwell whilst Paulo Bernardo didn’t even play. David Turnbull came on and scored, though, and I imagine he will start here.
Attack
Up top, Kyogo will play through the middle. Amid the suspension to Luis Palma, and injuries to Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda, Yang will begin on the right.
There are a few players who could play opposite the South Korean but because he was preferred to James Forrest off the bench at the weekend and won a penalty, I am of the opinion Rodgers will elect to, rather controversially, start Mikey Johnston on the left.
Such a move will undoubtedly split opinion, but it is a showing of the state of the available squad at the minute. Things will be tough away to Lazio for Celtic, but Johnston may have an almighty opportunity to show what he can do on the biggest stage.
Think Rodgers will be forced into trying something different in Rome imo?
Would be very surprised if he were to stick with the same formation, even more so with yang possibly unavailable with the hamstring problem.
Not that’s he’s even ready for CL level as of yet, and only possibly Johnston and forrest available in the wide areas?
So with that drastic prospect in store, thinking Rodgers may well be forced into trying something different?
Personally think we have to consider going with a back 5, which would mean bringing in Philips, and trying to make sure we stay well within the game, for as long as possible.
Would use iwata as the holding midfielder, and allowing the full backs of Johnston and Taylor to offer the width on the occasions we do get to see the actual football.
Allow for calmac and Oreily to help support the front 2 of kyogo and Oh, in a system where kyogo would need to run the channels on many occasions also both left and right?
Now wouldn’t allow for to many changes available within such a system to ourselves, but hardly got any available options open to ourselves either as it currently stands?
Could go with more width, depending upon how the game is playing out, but staying within the game has to remain key as this shooting ourselves in the foot and chasing a game, is going to result in nothing more than another very long night for ourselves in store imo.