CELTIC have a lot of options at the back – even with Jozo Simunovic being out long term. We have strength in depth and it will hopefully be the bedrock for a win against Cluj on Thursday evening.
The bhoys are looking to right some wrongs and after shipping four goals against the club back in August at Celtic Park – there’s personal pride on the line as well as the three points.
The defence on the fateful night in August; Hatem Elhamed, Kristoffer Ajer, Jozo Simunovic and Callum McGregor. Scott Bain was the man in goals as Celtic crashed out of the competition. Fast forward just over a month and Celtic are in a much different place.
I think we can say with some degree of certainty Fraser Forster will be the man trusted in goals this time and Callum McGregor will not be deputising at left back.
So how do we see the Celtic defence lining up against Cluj?
Bauer rolled over on his ankle during the Hibs game and was a slight doubt. If this comes into Neil Lennon’s thinking then the line-up is likely to look something like this.
Elhamed, Jullien, Ajer, Bolingoli.
Half played against Cluj the last time and the other half of that defence was on the bench. Bolingoli omitted after some erratic displays and Jullien wasn’t quite ready to come in and do the job. Both men will hopefully channel their disappointment on the night into fuel for victory.
