Another big European night at Celtic Park is just around the corner and it could be historic.
The Hoops face Rennes in a match that could see us win our Europa League group and enter the Round of 32 as a seeded team.
When you think back to the horror show against Cluj in August, it’s a remarkable turnaround.
Neil Lennon and his team deserve massive credit for the run of form. They’ve allowed us to believe in this team again as something of a European force, even if it’s not in the Champions League.
The game against Rennes comes ahead of a brutal December which could define our season. It’s hugely important that our squad are fully fit and up for the gauntlet across three competitions that could deliver a trophy and see us open up a gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Tomorrow is an opportunity for three players, in particular, to make progress and push towards playing more football. Let’s take a look.
Greg Taylor
Lennon has all but confirmed that the left-back is set to take part in tomorrow’s match, following an injury to Jonny Hayes. With Boli Bolingoli also out injured, it had seemed inevitable.
It’ll be a big night for the Scotland international in what will be his toughest test of the season to date.
He’s only made two appearances for the club since joining from Kilmarnock, but there have been positive initial signs he has the work ethic and quality to shine on the left flank.
The severity of the upcoming schedule should see him get more opportunities and it’ll be great to check on his progress against a decent Ligue 1 outfit.
Gaining more match fitness will hopefully do him the world of good.
Leigh Griffiths
Again, Griffiths could play a crucial role over the coming weeks, mostly in a relief role.
Over exposing star striker Odsonne Edouard could lead to problems or him picking up a knock ahead of our biggest matches. So far this season he’s had to carry the attacking torch mostly by himself.
Both Griffiths and Vakoun Bayo has struggled with fitness and injuries, leaving the Frenchman to forge ahead.
It’s not as if he’s struggling, he’s scored 13 goals and assisted 12 times, but the return of the Scotland international is most welcome.
Having only just returned from the bench against Livingston, we might not get to see Griffiths start tomorrow but a good half an hour under his belt in the second half would be great to see if the circumstances of the match allow.
Mikey Johnston
The winger had a storming start to the 2019/20 season but like others on the fringes of the first-team squad just hasn’t found the fitness to make a push into Lennon’s team on a consistent basis.
He hasn’t started a match since the September 1st derby at Ibrox. He was in fine form during that match and his imminent return will boost our left-wing options, having already scored three goals and assisted four more this term.
Lennon suggested in his pre-match press conference he’s in contention to feature in some capacity tomorrow (Celtic FC Twitter).
That’s most likely to come from the bench, but like the other two on this list, an appearance from the prospect is something I’d love to see.
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