UEFA have made the Celtic Europa League squad available to fans, and there are a few surprises.
On UEFA’s official website, the squad list includes new names like Kyogo Furuhashi, Osaze Urhoghide and Liel Abada. As you’ll remember, Abada hadn’t been included in the first Bhoys squad against FC Midtjylland, due to an admin error.
Swedish international defender Carl Starfelt is perhaps another Abada, then. The former Rubin Kazan centre-back has not made the provisional squad list. Leo Hjelde, Nir Bitton and Urhoghide have, though.
Odsonne Edouard is in there, too. That implies a big-money move for the striker isn’t imminent by any means.
Where Starfelt’s concerned, it’s most likely an error. Besides, the Bhoys still have time to amend the squad for Thursday’s meeting with FK Jablonec. Having crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers, Ange Postecoglou will surely be desperate to make amends in Europe’s second-tier competition.
The former Rubin Kazan defender endured a tricky debut, with Celtic losing 2-1 to Hearts. Despite making 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 clearances and winning 4 offside decisions [WhoScored?], he found himself on the losing team.
Of course, Celtic can still register the Swede in time for Thursday night’s clash, along with – potentially – a former England goalkeeper. Should Joe Hart’s transfer go through today, he could start against Jablonec.
Error or not, Celtic need Carl Starfelt in that Europa League squad
It matters little how much we as supporters know or don’t know about Jablonec. You can’t make progress in Europe without some experience and knowhow in the back-line. That’s true against any team at this level.
Starfelt may have not had the perfect debut against Hearts, but he has the passion and the ability to become a mainstay for the Bhoys this season. The real concern is in who plays alongside him.
The “B List” of players is, as yet, unavailable. But it’s likely to include names like Stephen Welsh and Dane Murray. Welsh should get the nod next to Starfelt, but it’s possible Ange Postecoglou could put his faith in Nir Bitton once more.
The Israeli international’s sending off killed the momentum Celtic had against Midtjylland in the home leg. However, Bitton has been here before, and has negotiated the qualifying rounds of European competitions in the past. He’s an option, albeit one fans aren’t likely to be overly excited about.
Hart aside, you’d hope Ange Postecoglou would’ve been given more players to work with by this point. At least, we might see Kyogo Furuhashi making his first start for Celtic.
Errors in the Europa League squad? As long as we’re not fielding ineligible players [BBC], it’ll be grand.
In other news: What Celtic are set to pay per week for former England international
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