When Celtic were drawn against AZ Alkmaar, there was considerable trepidation.
Here was a club that, after all, finished 3rd in a strong Eredivisie last time out. They had some big names, like Teun Koopmeiners and Owen Wijndal. Despite losing some promising players like Calvin Stengs, they still carried a threat.
However, tell you me you don’t feel a wee bit more optimistic now.
Celtic are flying. Granted, yes, we haven’t faced a team of Alkmaar’s calibre since we lost to FC Midtjylland. However, our team is far stronger than when the Danish side came to town. The performances since our Champions League disappointment have been rapidly improving.
Not only that, AZ are a team in a bit of flux themselves. They lost at the weekend, and according to Football Oranje founder Michael Bell, “Celtic will be a tough tie for them”.
So, who’s going to be in the Huddle before the Bhoys kick off on Wednesday? Here’s our Celtic Predicted XI to face AZ Alkmaar.
Celtic v AZ Alkmaar: A defence that picks itself
Yes: we still need new defenders in. On Sunday, Hearts were flattered by a 3-2 score-line. For all the great stuff happening further up the pitch, the defence remains a concern.
At least we have Joe Hart though. The English goalkeeper has been a reassuring presence at the back since arriving. He makes saves, and he’s able to shout the centre backs into some kind of shape.
His distribution still needs work, but that’ll come. At 34, he’s proving more than happy to learn the ways of an exciting manager. Ahead of him, we’re confident of seeing Stephen Welsh and Carl Starfelt.
Starfelt hasn’t won the confidence of Celtic supporters yet. That’s natural; often, as football fans, we’re far too quick to write players off. The Sweden international as shown, in flashes, that he’s capable of winning the ball quickly, and moving it on.
Welsh, meanwhile, has grown in confidence. He’s by no means the finished article, or even near it. However, he’s proven himself as a competent Celtic defender. There’s more to come from him.
On the left, it’s likely Greg Taylor, with Anthony Ralston on the other side. It’s hard to recall when a Celtic defence last had three Scottish players in it. In Taylor’s case, for me, he’s not given any reason to be dropped. Ralston, meanwhile, can build on his excellent recent form.
Easy. Done. Next?
Tom Rogic might deserve another start, and he’s well-placed to get it
In two minds here, I’ll be honest.
Against a team like AZ, it probably makes sense to have another ball-winning midfielder in the team. Picking Ismaila Soro makes a lot of sense in this regard.
However, I just don’t quite see it. It doesn’t feel very Ange Postecoglou to be reactive. He’s already outlined his willingness to build on the tempo of previous outings.
Therefore, it seems right that Tom Rogic will partner Callum McGregor in the centre of this XI.
The Aussie dynamo has shown flickers of his imperious best. You play someone like that when they’re on good form, it’s just that simple. It would be a surprise, at this point, to not see the Wizard of Oz in our midfield against AZ.
David Turnbull, so impressive against FK Jablonec, has proven he’s Europa League standard, and then some. He’ll play just behind the striker in an attacking Celtic line-up.
Celtic to call upon attacking talents against AZ Alkmaar
Odsonne Edouard was more than decent against Hearts. If he was on top form, he’d have scored at least 2. As it was, he capped off one of the most devastating moves Celtic supporters have seen in years.
After how promising the front three were against Hearts, it’s a bit like Rogic; there’s no need to fix what works. With the blistering movement of Kyogo Furuhashi off the shoulder, and the perennially underrated James Forrest on the other side, there’s more than enough there to threaten AZ.
Yes, it’d be cool to see Ryan Christie or Liel Abada back in the first team. But if they’re carrying knocks, and we have a lethal front three good to go, why force anything else?
In other news: Former Celtic coach points out class factor in recent resurgence
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