Jim Duffy explains why Brendan Rodgers will leave ‘brilliant’ Celtic hero on the bench vs Rangers

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All the talk of the upcoming Glasgow Derby amongst the Celtic fans is who will start on the wings against Rangers.

The rest of the starting eleven will pick itself. Now that the injury issues Celtic had at the beginning of the season are all pretty much resolved, Brendan Rodgers has a full squad quota to choose from for the first time, I think, this season.

The goalkeeper, defence and midfield will pick itself. Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate look back to full fitness as does Cameron Carter-Vickers after the Hearts win at the weekend.

With Kyogo also on the goalscoring trail, the only question that needs to be answered is who starts on the wings. And Jim Duffy believes he knows the answer.

Brendan Rodgers ‘will’ start Kuhn for Celtic vs Rangers

Duffy believes Rodgers will start with the German winger in favour of James Forrest this weekend.

Signed for £3m, Kuhn has improved since he recovered from his health issues when he signed for Celtic but a resurgent Forrest has given the Celtic manager a good selection headache ahead of the Rangers game this weekend.

Duffy said [Superscoreboard], “I would play Forrest and Maeda if you’re asking me. But I’m not the manager of Celtic. If you’re asking me I think Brendan Rodgers will go Kuhn and Maeda.

“Me, I would go Forrest and Maeda.

“I think he’s also a player that when he comes on the pitch [Forrest] does make an impact. You can get players who are like that and other players don’t.

“Some players have to start. I’m not quite sure if Maeda would make the same impact coming on but I think Forrest would.

“I think if Celtic need a goal, James Forrest is a brilliant player to bring on for the last half hour.”

Brendan Rodgers certainly does find himself in a quandary this Saturday but it will be a welcome headache considering the squads he has had available in previous derbies.

In the first derby of the season at Ibrox, the Celtic boss had to go to Ibrox without Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate and still picked up a win.

For the 2-1 Parkhead win, Rodgers was still without the duo as Stephen Welsh and David Turnbull started and in the last Ibrox encounter Celtic played out a 3-3 draw without captain, Callum McGregor.

With the Celtic first-team squad now looking strong heading into the final stages of the season, the fans are looking forward to the Rangers game knowing that they have all of their best players available for selection.