The Celtic XI vs Rennes is going to come under its toughest challenge of the season in the Ligue 1 outfit.
The Hoops open up their European campaign with a hugely tough challenge in Brittany this Thursday night. Celtic last played the French side back in 2011, and managed a fine 1-1 draw in France. A similar result this time would be even more impressive.
Rennes have plenty going for them at the moment. They may have failed to win their last two matches, but they did manage three wins out of three to kick off the campaign.
If Neil Lennon’s Hoops are to continue their own fine start to the season, however, the team selection must be spot on. Here’s how we predict Lenny could line his Bhoys up.
The team
Craig Gordon was the man in the nets for our last European adventure. Celtic’s 6-1 mauling of AIK was helped by some good shot-stopping from the Scotland international. However, Fraser Forster has two clean sheets out of three matches at Celtic, and looks best placed to start on Thursday night.
Celtic have had some of their new recruits talking confidently ahead of their Europa League adventure. Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo was the first to talk about reaching the last four (Scottish Sun). He was swiftly joined by Hatem Abd Elhamed, who stated his belief that a big club like Celtic should be aiming to achieve big things in Europe (The Scotsman). You would expect both of those men to start down either flank tonight in the full-back areas.
Centre-back Christopher Jullien has gone one better and stated we can win the competition (Scottish Sun). He’ll surely be given a chance on Thursday to partner Kristoffer Ajer to see how the duo does at this level.
In the midfield, Scott Brown will be the first name on the team-sheet. He has an incredibly difficult task in trying to keep the likes of Clement Grenier and Eduardo Camavinga quiet.
Alongside Brown, we’re going to predict Olivier Ntcham gets the nod. After all, Ntcham had been linked with a move away from the club to Marseille in the summer (L’Equipe). If he still wants that interest to be there at the end of the season, he could do with a performance. His motivation levels will surely be sky-high.
Time to give Callum McGregor a rest?
Added to that, Callum McGregor needs a rest. We spoke yesterday about how Ntcham for McGregor is a decision that would suit all parties. Our verdict on that hasn’t changed.
James Forrest has a stunning record at Celtic that should be getting more praise. He’s scored in seven of his last nine games, and has also managed to score in our last four European matches. His spot in the side should be undoubted.
At left-mid, we’re going to go with Mohamed Elyounoussi. It’s matches such as this you would like to think the Southampton loan star will be a real difference-maker. Hopefully, he can start and make an impression.
Tom Rogic made his return to action against Hamilton. However, it’s too early for him to displace Ryan Christie in the number 10 role. Christie will be looking for his fourth European goal of the season on Thursday.
Up top is the man-of-the-moment, Odsonne Edouard. His four-goal haul with the France under-21s has been followed-up by reported interest from Napoli (Daily Mail).
He’s another who could want to put himself on the shop window for back home in France. A match-winner in Rennes won’t do him any harm at all.
As always, here’s a look at the team in list form:
GK – Fraser Forster
RB – Hatem Abd Elhamed
CB – Christopher Jullien
CB – Kristoffer Ajer
LB – Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo
CM – Scott Brown
CM – Olivier Ntcham
RM – James Forrest
CAM – Ryan Christie
LM – Mohamed Elyounoussi
ST – Odsonne Edouard
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