Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou might not have actually wanted the visit of West Ham United today.
Sure, it’s an opportunity to build some more match fitness, and explore the options in his squad. West Ham also represent quality opposition, with former Celt David Moyes bringing his club to the stadium where he spent time as a fan and a player.
Also, the return of a number of fans make it an appealing prospect from that point of view. However, with a crucial second leg against FC Midtjylland on the horizon, there are some critical questions already facing the Celtic manager.
By his own admission, Ange is “frustrated” at the lack of movement for first-team signings. Contingency plans are being drawn up in the event of Odsonne Edouard leaving, with the Sun reporting today that Brighton are preparing a £20m bid [Sun].
With a threadbare squad, and a vital tie ahead of him, then, you’d understand if he wasn’t over the moon about Celtic playing West Ham. Here are three questions Ange has to answer with his team selection, in what was meant to be a casual, exhibition match against Premier League opposition.
Will Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou play Anthony Ralston against West Ham?
So, it starts tricky, and gets trickier.
Celtic do not have depth at right-back. Anthony Ralston, arguably, has been there as a default. For whatever reason, former Manchester United youth player Lee O’Connor hasn’t seen much game-time yet.
However, as we’ve seen, injuries don’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter what the occasion is. Knocks to Mikey Johnston, Karamoko Dembele and Vasilis Barkas were ample evidence of that.
Does he risk playing our first-choice right back in a friendly? Or will Irish cap O’Connor get the nod? And with it, his first real chance to impress a home crowd at Celtic Park?
In a match that’s supposed to have zero jeopardy, Postecoglou can’t even name his defence without a massive potential headache.
Does Ryan Christie fit into Ange’s plans?
Ryan Christie was a bit of a surprise pick against FC Midtjylland. Yet, he was outstanding. A constant threat to their right-back Henrik Dalsgaard, the Scotland star was accurate with his shooting, and a constant menace.
So, does Ange let him build on that with a start against West Ham United? Certainly, the school of thought insisting that Christie is hell-bent on a Premier League move would insist it’s what the attacker would sorely want.
There’s the temptation to try out Adam Montgomery on the left-flank, or even Liel Abada, who started on the right against Midtjylland. But with quality opposition in front of us today, the boss will presumably try to put out his best possible Celtic team against West Ham today.
That, it’s fair to say at the moment, would include Christie. Yes, he had a bad 20-21. But it’s hard to argue anyone other than maybe Soro or Turnbull really impressed last season.
Perhaps Christie wants to move. Or, he’s playing for a new contract. Either way, it’s a big call for Ange Postecoglou to make today, even for a friendly.
Who should line up in attack for Celtic against West Ham?
So, if you’re Ange Postecoglou, you presumably want to have your best striker match-fit and ready for a Champions League game.
Except, reports this morning [Sun] suggest the Premier League may finally call for Odsonne Edouard. What do you do?
Again, friendlies really ought not to matter. In a material sense, they absolutely don’t. But then, the rumour mill will whirr into overdrive if Edouard is left out of the squad today. It would be Postecoglou sending a message about his future.
In that case, you’ve got to imagine Albian Ajeti will be given his chance to build on early pre-season form. And who better for him to face than his alma mater, the club who signed him for big money then essentially forgot about him?
With the scrutiny on Celtic currently, even friendlies require big calls. Premier League opposition visits today, and Postecoglou can either see it as a big, exciting challenge, or a needless, difficult tie with players both needing game-time and protected from injury.
In other news: Darren O’Dea talks up the pathway for Academy players
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