Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has insisted that Stephen Welsh and Moritz Jenz can step up to the plate for the Bhoys tonight in their toughest test yet as a defensive duo.
Celtic are missing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt to injury right now, meaning it’s the two deputies who will be given a starting nod in Germany.
However, far from pandering to the narrative that his team will be weakened, Postecoglou has used the media to lay down a challenge to the pairing and told them to take their moment.
As quoted by The Glasgow Times, he said in Germany: “That’s what football is about. Carl and Cam are pretty much mainstays for us. They have hardly missed a game then they have both had different issues. That’s meant that Welshy and Moritz have got an opportunity.
“It’s a great opportunity for them, a good challenge for them. A centre-half playing as a pairing requires understanding, but in both games they have played so far, they have got better at understanding each other’s movements.
“I am sure they are looking forward to it because they have got some real attacking threats tomorrow. They are both going to have to be on top of their games but we can help them with that. It’s great, how you can develop quickly.
“Nothing beats that kind of experience, provided you go out there with a positive mindset and don’t let the game pass you by. It goes for a lot of our players. For most of them, it is their first experience of Champions League football. We are really big on making sure they don’t waste the experience and let it pass them by without making an impact.”
Oftentimes, Postecoglou talks in this manner about his players in the media and they respond with a strong performance next time out. He doesn’t speak blindly about these matters – everything he says publically is with a purpose.
Let’s hope the pairing can raise their game tonight and help the Bhoys towards a famous result in Germany.
In other news, 2 changes, first-ever Bhoys start; Celtic Predicted XI vs RB Leipzig.
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