Celtic must stick with Boyata/Ajer partnership against Valencia

By John Reid

February 21, 2019

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers should stick with the centre-back duo he selected to play against Kilmarnock, for the Europa League clash against Valencia.

That duo is Kristoffer Ajer and Dedryck Boyata. Boyata played alongside Jozo Simunovic in the first leg of the tie against the Spanish side. But neither player covered themselves in glory.

Solid game in recent win

However, Boyata returned to form in the win over Kilmarnock, and Ajer also had a solid game.

(ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Obviously, facing Valencia will be a much tougher prospect than playing Kilmarnock. But the duo of Ajer and Boyata should continue in the team.

Keep duo together

(photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

The Hoops are not expected to overturn a two goal deficit in Spain. But if they want to achieve this, it would help if some continuity was kept in the side.

That means making as few changes as possible from the side which lined-up against Kilmarnock. The Hoops weren’t exactly great against Kilmarnock, but perhaps playing on the break in Spain will suit the team more.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Therefore, it would be silly to break-up the partnership which helped the Hoops increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership last week.

Boyata and Ajer are just beginning to form a partnership, and breaking it up would make what looks to be a difficult night in Spain just that bit more difficult.