Celtic have a squad bustling with talent that will need to be managed carefully over the course of the season.
Brendan Rodgers has plenty of depth to play with at the club owing to a dramatic last week of the transfer window that yielded four signings.
Alex Valle arrived before the deadline day rush to bolster the left-back position. Meanwhile, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan came in before time ran out to bulk out the backline and engine room.
With Celtic coming off the back of the first international break of the season, there is intrigue over whether Rodgers will stick or twist this weekend against Heart of Midlothian.
Peter Grant has offered his verdict on what the Irishman will do on Saturday, alongside forecasting how the starting lineup will alternate as the season goes on amid the Bhoys’ involvement in Europe.
Peter Grant on Celtic’s potential squad rotation
Factoring in the arrival of new signings and speaking firstly about Adam Idah’s fitness, Grant told the Go Radio Football Show: ” He’s had the pre-season, but games are different. Games are different; these boys went away to America and were all playing.
“Kyogo was brilliant over there, and he’s had the ground running here, but it depends on what Brendan wants to do with the Champions League game, with the slight shoulder injury. I think Kyogo will start (against Hearts), and he’ll make the substitutions for them. I don’t think Brendan will do many changes if he doesn’t need to.”
Later, he added: “I don’t think he’ll make many changes. I think he wants to make this competitive that you get in the team. I think it may be slightly different this week with the Champions League. If some people touch and go, maybe you’ll think, all right, I’ll leave that Saturday, and we’ve got the Champions League.”
Undoubtedly, the Bhoys will have a balancing act to perform in light of their exploits domestically and on the continent. Rotation is set to become a key feature in the next batch of games, so expect changes to be had amid the forthcoming congested fixture schedule.
Grant is right that Rodgers will want a ‘competitive’ environment as spots in his line-up remain up for grabs. Nobody is certain of a position; anyone selected will be there on merit over anything else.
However, with the Champions League coming up, changes are an inevitability. Hopefully, the group can handle the strain of a hectic schedule.
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