Celtic kick off at 16:30 today in what will be an emotional return to action for the Hoops after 5 months without competitive football. The game will be behind closed doors as we continue to tentatively make our way out of restrictions in Scotland.
It’s a day where Celtic will unfurl the flag, their ninth consecutive unfurling and in doing so will mark the start of their ten in a row campaign.
It’s going to be a strange season and unpredictable season but it’s important we get off to the best start possible. There is only one new addition to the squad so far; Vasilis Barkas and he is the biggest talking point in the run up to kick off.
Having only signed during the week, and with a three training sessions under his belt, Neil Lennon is pondering whether to field his new addition.
Speaking to RecordSport, the Irishman was in two minds but suggested he may defer to his goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods:
“We’ll take a view on that as we go along and speak to Stevie Woods, our goalkeeper coach.” Lennon confirmed.
“We’re delighted to get Barkas done and we’ve also got Scott Bain on a long-term contract.
“We’ve got Conor Hazard who has done really well in pre-season. So, the position isn’t a major priority for us at the moment.”
If Barkas isn’t ready, Bain is certainly capable of filling the gap.
There’s no doubt elsewhere, most positions pick themselves. Edouard will likely start up front alongside Moi Elyounoussi and James Forrest. Scott Brown will captain the side and play alongside Callum McGregor. Jullien and Ajer set to continue their partnership, Greg Taylor and Jeremy Frimpong the preferred full backs at the moment.
