Chris Sutton thinks Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou could make as many seven changes for tomorrow’s match away to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
Postecoglou named a heavily rotated team in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night, but insisted he sent out an eleven he felt could win the tie against Bodo/Glimt.
Sutton isn’t really buying what he was selling and thinks the team selection in Norway will allow a full-strength eleven to be fielded at Easter Road.
Writing in his Daily Record column, the former Celtic striker said: “Postecoglou said it was a freshened team rather than a weakened team and he wasn’t making Hibs tomorrow a priority. No one buys that. You can’t tell me he would have put out that side if they were leading 1-0 from the first leg. No chance.
“But Postecoglou might have taken one look at that surface and thought his main men were not worth the risk.
“It was still a strong team but you only have to look at the bench. They had the best defender this season in Cameron Carter-Vickers, the two best wingers in Jota and Liel Abada and the club captain who has been absolutely vital to everything the side plays.
“Chuck in the first choice full backs and Reo Hatate and you know they are all likely to be back in at Easter Road tomorrow.”
I don’t think many people will disagree with this assessment. Actions speak louder than words and all that and Postecoglou made his intentions very clear on Thursday night.
For me, there will be no harm done if we continue our winning form in the Scottish Premiership. Three points against Hibs will have most fans forgetting about the Bodo/Glimt tie, or at least postponing the European judgements for another time.
It could well prove to be the correct strategy in the big picture of the season. But tomorrow’s players must perform to a high level or Thursday’s weakened team will have been rather pointless.
In other news, Sunday Pass To Paradise bonus for Celtic season ticket holders.
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