Celtic’s recent signing of Moritz Bauer from Stoke seemed to come out of the blue. The player joined the Hoops on a loan deal – with an option to buy – ahead of the Glasgow derby against Rangers.
Bauer made his Hoops debut in the game. He appeared as a second-half substitute. Injury to Nir Bitton forced the Hoops into a positional shuffle and Bauer came on.
Played well enough in debut
The player acquitted himself fairly well in the 2-0 win, although he was fortunate to avoid injury after being fouled by Jordan Jones, who was sent-off.
With the Hoops in action against Hamilton in the next league game, it would be a sensible idea by Neil Lennon to give Bauer his first start for the Hoops in that game.
The reason for that is that injuries may mean that the Hoops have few other options available at the position. Kristoffer Ajer, who played right-back a few times this season is out with a groin injury.
Meanwhile, injuries at centre-back to Nir Bitton and Jozo Simunovic may lead to right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed playing at centre-back against Hamilton.
Good performance could lead to Europa League start
Therefore, it would make sense to give Bauer a starting berth against Hamilton. If Bauer performs well in the game, he could feature in the Europa League opener against Rennes.
Bauer might not have featured for Stoke recently. However, Neil Lennon obviously trusted the player enough to give him his Hoops debut in a Glasgow derby. That can only be a positive sign for the player.
Bauer may not be the first-choice right-back for the Hoops. However, he seems capable of giving Elhamed a battle for a first-team spot.
Competition for places is always good for a team. That is what Bauer looks to be providing for the Hoops this season.
The player should be given a chance to show his capabilities from the start against Hamilton when the Hoops return to league action.
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