After a fairly flat first leg in Glasgow, Celtic are now in Kazakhstan to try and qualify for the Champions League the hard way.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had the chance to head to Almaty for their gruelling trip with an advantage, but after Celtic’s goalless draw against Kairat last week, it’s honours even and the Champions League on a knife-edge.
On Saturday afternoon, as many will understand, Rodgers made several changes to his XI as Celtic eased past Livingston in the Premiership.
But how will the Celtic manager shape up at the top of the pitch in Kazakhstan?
Celtic’s front three for Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty
One player everyone will agree with as a starter is Daizen Maeda; it’s just a case of where the PFA Player of the Year plays, as Barry Ferguson and Charlie Mulgrew are in agreement.
Speaking on Go Radio, the duo are backing Maeda to play down the middle, with Ferguson predicting that the Japan star will cause ‘all sorts of problems’ against Kairat Almaty.
But Mulgrew has named the struggling Hyunjun Yang to start on the flanks for Celtic, alongside the ever-popular James Forrest.
“Who do you play through the middle?” asked Ferguson. “Who is your front three?”
Mulgrew responded: “I am going for Maeda, James Forrest and Yang.”
Ferguson added: “I don’t think Idah will start because he missed the (Livingston game). They do need players in, Celtic, don’t they? It will be interesting to see what team he goes with.
“But Maeda through the middle, he could cause all sorts of problems.”
Adam Idah travels for Champions League qualifier
One man who was absent for Celtic’s win over Livi was Adam Idah, with the under-pressure striker yet to find the back of the net this season.
The Republic of Ireland star is an option up top for the Hoops because he has travelled to the squad, according to the manager.
Yes, Idah is dividing opinion big time, but this is his chance to, once again, prove that he is a scorer of big goals because he has a history of it in the famous green and white colours.
“Adam has travelled with us,” said Rodgers. “He wasn’t available at the weekend. But other than that, pretty much the same.
“Auston (Trusty) hasn’t made it, but in the main, the same squad from the weekend.”
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