Three key battles: Scott Brown is vital for Celtic against Rennes

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Celtic captain Scott Brown has it all to do against Rennes and their star midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.

The 17-year-old is one of the most sought after players in Europe at the moment. Brown is an old school leader but is coming up against a very tough opponent in the French youth international.

However, it isn’t just Broony that is going to be in battle when the French Cup winners come to town.

Scott Brown vs Eduardo Camavinga key in Celtic and Rennes clash

It is a test of young vs old as Brown and Camavinga will go one-on-one on Thursday night.

The teenager was set to play from the start in the first match in Rennes but came off the bench instead.

Camavinga is now becoming a regular for Rennes and will more than likely be in Julien Stephan’s side. The French under-21 international is going to need to be on his game and will not get any time on the ball. Broony will also have to get his teammates fired up to be on him from the first whistle.

Camavinga likes to spray the ball about and make pin point passes but does so with ease. Brown will make sure that Camavinga will have the toughest night of his career so far.

Mbaye Niang vs Christopher Jullien

Niang was an injury doubt for the first match in Rennes but made it to the starting 11. He won and scored a penalty in the first half which was cancelled out by Ryan Christie’s spot kick in the second.

Niang was kept mostly quiet due to the tireless work by Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer. However, this time round Niang will be 100% and looking to salvage some happiness for the disappointed fans.

Jullien handled Ciro Immobile quite well in the two Lazio games, but Niang will be just as clinical.

Odsonne Edouard vs Joris Gnagnon

It’s a battle of the French youth products as Edouard and Gnagnon go head to head again.

Edouard was quiet like Niang back home in France but on Thursday it’ll be a familiar stomping ground.

Edouard is the most valued player at the Hoops and will be looking to add to his low Europa League total. There will be no Vakoun Bayo to replace him this time due to injury so he will get the full 90 to show what he can do.