Neil Lennon has admitted he won’t do what Brendan Rodgers did in 2018 and weaken Celtic for a European game just days before a cup semi-final.
Rodgers made the bold move of removing first-team regulars such as Kristoffer Ajer, Filip Benkovic, James Forrest, and Tom Rogic for a crucial crunch clash in Leipzig in 2018. The idea was that these players would be fresh to take on Hearts just days later in a crucial Betfred Cup semi-final.
In the end, Celtic smashed Hearts 3-0 in a second-half blitz after a toothless display in Leipzig. But that’s not a route Lennon wants to go down in France tomorrow night as he ponders the Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen on Sunday.
Speaking in his pre-match presser published by Celtic TV, Lennon said: “I’m in a position to do it (make big changes) but I’m not going to because if we win the game then it opens the group up for us and keeps us ticking over.
“It was a disappointing start to the group – losing a home game when we were very good at home in the Europa League last year, so it’s important that we get something out of the game. And we’re going to need a strong team out because Lille are a very good side.
“I’m not really looking too much ahead to the Aberdeen game. We had a good look at them last weekend so we’re very familiar with them.”
Rodgers decision shouldn’t be replicated
That game in Leipzig saw the likes of Cristian Gamboa, a struggling Jozo Simunovic, Eboue Kouassi, Lewis Morgan, and a then inexperienced Ryan Christie feature against one of Germany’s best sides.
Whilst you could understand the need to keep things fresh for the game against Hearts, it always felt like we were giving the Jambos too much respect. And that’s what’s pleasing about Lennon’s comments here.
He isn’t dismissing tomorrow’s match in Lille. He knows how big a game this could be in the context of our European campaign, and he clearly wants to give it a go. Lennon is also showing an awareness of the fact we should still easily be able to take Aberdeen regardless of us playing on Thursday night.
Remember, when Celtic stepped it up in the second half on Sunday, Aberdeen struggled to get going. They effectively scored from two of their only real attacks of the second half at Pittodrie. Celtic, meanwhile, picked up a head of steam and seemed to get stronger as the match went on.
So there’s no reason to play a weakened side against Lille when we showed we can still dominate proceedings against the Dons just days after a big Europa League game. It’s easy to forget we went into Sunday’s game on the back of a difficult night against AC Milan.
We could do with any pick-me-up we can get. But if we can get a win in France this week, it should do absolute wonders for confidence. It’s reassuring to know the manager has no willingness to dismiss tomorrow’s fixture.
In other news, Lennon has outlined the long road back for one of the club’s Lennoxtown graduates.
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