Celtic boss set for defensive decision as defender returns to training after illness

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Celtic defender Mortiz Jenz has returned to training ahead of the Hoops second match against RB Leipzig tomorrow evening.

The 23-year-old started the first fixture between the two sides back in his homeland last Wednesday evening as the Hoops suffered a 3-1 defeat.

However, the on-loan Lorient man was missing from the squad for the Bhoys’ return to Scottish Premiership action against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the central defender had missed the trip to Perth due to illness and was hopeful he would be back in time for the reverse tie in the Champions League.

And the German looks to have made his recovery in time for Tuesday evening’s game after he was spotted amongst his Celtic teammates in training.

Postecoglou’s side are gearing up for the crucial group stage match and were put through their paces for the final time ahead of the fixture in front of the cameras at Lennoxtown.

With the injury issues Celtic have had to face to the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in recent weeks, I am sure the 57-year-old will be happy to have another backup defensive option return.

Ange Postecoglou now has a key defensive decision to make.

As mentioned, those injury issues have led to Ange Postecoglou having little option as to who will start at the centre of his back four.

However, the return of Carter-Vickers has opened up the possibility of a few different partnerships within the Celtic backline.

The American is the only guaranteed player to start at the heart of the defence, and he could even captain the side for a second time after leading the side to victory on Saturday.

However, Postecoglou will have to choose who to partner the former Tottenham Hotspur man up with – Stephen Welsh or the returning Mortiz Jenz?

Both players have struck up a decent partnership alongside Carter-Vickers in the minutes they have played alongside one another this season.

With Jenz’s absence on Saturday, it was Welsh who was the man to start, and the Celtic boss may choose to go with that same centre-back pairing.

However, I don’t think it would come as much of a surprise to Celtic supporters to see Jenz step in following some decent showings against Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk in this competition.

Of course, the decision all depends on how fit the on-loan defender actually is after missing out on the dramatic late victory last weekend.

But Ange Postecoglou could have a big call to make within his back four, similar to other areas of the pitch, such as the central midfield position.

In other news, “Pandemonium”; Celtic showcase class new footage from late victory.