Celtic take on Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt tonight as the Bhoys resume European competition this season.
After a creditable nine points in the Europa League group stage, Ange Postecoglou’s team have dropped into the Conference League with sights set on going deep in the tournament. No one at Celtic is afraid to admit that ambition.
However, the fact remains that tonight’s opponents will provide a stern test. Celtic aren’t exactly in the habit of progressing through knockout rounds in Europe either.
So what kind of team will Postecoglou go with to get the job done? Here’s our best shot at his eleven…
Ange set to go all-out with his Celtic team vs Bodo/Glimt
As always, Joe Hart will take command between the sticks. I have a funny feeling his shot-stopping abilities will be needed tonight if Celtic are to get a positive result.
The defensive backline is likely to be what I considered full strength. There’s no better combination than Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor at Celtic right now. We witnessed how effective it was against Rangers. Now it’s time for Europe to find out.
In midfield is where trickier calls come but Callum McGregor is a shoo-in to start given his importance to the team not just as a skilful, deep-lying player but also as captain.
You could make a very good argument for Matt O’Riley getting the nod tonight but I think Postecoglou will go with Reo Hatate and Tom Rogic. Rogic just has that little bit more experience at this level and O’Riley is a dynamite pick to bring off the bench if required.
On the wing, I am certainly hoping Ange goes for the Liel Abada and Jota combination. They’ve been absolutely lethal in recent weeks. Abada always seems to be in the right place at the right time, while Jota is now firing on all cylinders again after injury. They’re the key to breaking Bodo/Glimt down.
And what of attack? Well, that’s arguably the manager’s toughest call tonight. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored at the weekend and provides Celtic with a physical presence in the final third that can be very effective.
However, I just think Daizen Maeda can add an electric element to the forward line this evening that sees Celtic go all guns blazing against a Norwegian defence that hasn’t played a competitive game for two months. If anyone can catch them cold it’s the firecracker Japanese international.
Your predicted XI in full is: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, Rogic, Jota, Abada, Maeda.
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