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Celtic head into Sunday’s game against Motherwell on the back of Thursday night’s Europa League exit to Valencia. Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be contemplating a few changes to his starting line-up for the game against the Steelmen.

The Hoops played for almost an hour with 10 men in Spain, and you could tell some players were exhausted at the end of the match. However, the Bhoys will want to keep their eight point lead at the top of the table. So changes might be kept to a minimum.

Let’s take a look at three players who missed out in Spain who could start against Motherwell.

1. EMILIO IZAGUIRRE

With Kieran Tierney not yet back, and Jonny Hayes having played an energy-sapping game in Spain, the Motherwell match seems like an ideal one for Emilio Izaguirre to make a rare start in. He hasn’t been at his very best when called upon this season. But on his day, Izaguirre can be very effective going forward and in defence. He seems like a good candidate to play at left-back.

2. NIR BITTON

The midfielder has yet to start a game since returning from injury in January. But this seems like a good fixture to return in. Scott Brown and Callum McGregor could both do with a rest, and Bitton is more than capable of replacing either one in the team. He needs a start, and the Steelmen will provide a good test.

3. VAKOUN ISSOUF BAYO

Vakoun Issouf Bayo made his Hoops debut as a late substitute against Kilmarnock, and won the corner which led to Scott Brown’s winning goal. That was a decent start, but now he deserves a chance to show what he can do from the start. A match against in-from Motherwell will be a real test of Bayo’s credentials, and will give the fans an opportunity to see how good a player he is.