Celtic’s Moritz Bauer believes he’ll get his chances this season

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Celtic right-back Moritz Bauer’s chances of first-team games look to have increased over the last couple of weeks.

Originally when Neil Lennon brought him in, he looked a certain back-up to Hatem Abd Elhamed. In a way he may still be considering Elhamed remains the first-choice for the position.

However, recently Lenny has shown a horses for courses type approach to this intriguing battle. Elhamed hasn’t started at right-back over any of the last two league games thanks to Bauer’s form. And whilst Elhamed’s return tomorrow night looks extremely likely, that’s no slight on Bauer’s displays.

The Austrian himself hasn’t been disappointed so far either. Speaking in the Scottish Sun, Bauer believes Lennon’s rotation policy will see him play on plenty of occasions this season.

“Hatem Elhamed arrived with a slight injury, but played a fantastic game in the derby. He did a terrific job when needed. We’re different characters and maybe I can add more attacking football, while Hatem’s a great defender.

“We have a lot of games in the next few weeks and will need every player. It will be different tactics for every game and it’s up to the gaffer how he wants to play with the full-backs.

“That was probably the thinking of the board and manager when they signed me. I can learn from Hatem and he’s an international, so we’ll make each other better.”

Elhamed’s adaptability could give Bauer the chances he needs

Bauer isn’t here to sit on the bench. He could’ve done that at Stoke City and played second-fiddle to Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Instead, he’s here to play regularly, and it looks like he’s going to get the chance to do just that.

Elhamed looks highly likely to play any big game Celtic encounter at right-back. However, the Israeli’s comfortability at the heart of the back-line could open more doors for Bauer. There’s going to be times this season when Elhamed has to slot into the centre of defence. When he does, Bauer is our only senior cover at right-back.

There will also be plenty of matches where Neil Lennon will rest the former Hapoel Be’er Sheva star. It’s probably not ideal for Bauer to be looking for scraps here and there, but Elhamed still remains the number one.

But the Austrian won’t mistake that for a lack of game-time. He’s going to play a lot more here than he would’ve done at Stoke, and he’s also helped himself with the quality of his three Celtic appearances so far.

Lennon is a fan of rotating regularly. Bauer is 100% right in that aspect. And, judging by how much Lenny rates both his right-backs, there’s going to be a feast of game-time for both throughout the season.