Celtic’s clash with Hearts on Sunday is massive.
Brendan Rodgers has been in title races before, but the opportunity for him to fall eight points behind is something unprecedented.
Hearts are full of confidence ahead of the fixture, while the Hoops’ last league outing was a dismal 2-0 defeat against Dundee.
To make matters worse, a Celtic injury crisis has emerged. Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers all picked up injuries in the Hoops’ 2-1 win over Sturm Graz.
This has left Rodgers with a selection dilemma – and Peter Grant has weighed in on who should partner Liam Scales in the backline at Tynecastle.
Peter Grant on Celtic’s Liam Scales partnership vs Hearts
Scales and Carter-Vickers have consistently partnered each other since Rodgers’ arrival, despite the £6 million arrival of Auston Trusty.
Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh and other centre-backs have also been on the fringes.
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Regardless of who Rodgers picks to play on Sunday, they will be under pressure. There has been consistency of selection whenever his first-choice players have been available.
For Grant, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Murray’s readiness means that he must be the pick.
“I don’t know where Trusty’s been. I think Dane Murray’s not done anything wrong any time he’s played.
“He’s not done anything wrong whatsoever. As a young man, all you’re wanting is an opportunity. And if he’s more available than Trusty, and the manager thinks he’s got more games within him, I would go with Dane Murray.
“He’ll never be more tested at the start of the season than he will be on Sunday. Because Derek McInnes will be thinking ‘ok, they’ve got Liam Scales, but who’s going to head the ball after that?’
“So the ball will be coming in constantly in the box, but Murray’s never let them down at any time, and I don’t know where Trusty is with the games.
“At this moment in time, I think game-wise and ready-wise, you need to go with Dane Murray, if Trusty’s not available.”
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic selection dilemma vs Hearts
Murray may be the obvious choice given Trusty’s left-sidedness. But Hoops fans will remember him playing next to Scales when he first joined Celtic, to great success against Atalanta.
As for the right-back spot, it feels like a coin toss. Colby Donovan has earned rave reviews since coming into the side.
However, Rodgers’ trust in Anthony Ralston is well-established. Will he go for the tried and tested in a game of such high magnitude?
Johnny Kenny is nailed on to lead the line for the Hoops, unless Daizen Maeda comes back from nowhere to full fitness.
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