Celtic return to action this Saturday when newly-promoted Ross County are the visitors to Parkhead. The match is the first after the international break and comes just five days before the big Europa League group clash against Lazio.
With both of those factors in mind, Neil Lennon may wish he could play a team consisting completely of players who weren’t playing international football during the break. Of course the Northern Irishman is extremely unlikely to do that but he could give it a try if he felt he wanted to.
Here at 67HH, we’ve put together our top ‘Celtic non-international XI’ for the gaffer to browse.
Goalkeeper – Fraser Forster
The big shot stopper hasn’t been capped by England since 2016 and it’s hard to see him getting the call anytime soon. That means that he’s had the last week or so to stew over the defeat at Livingston. But he’ll be raring to go if, and when, he is selected this coming Saturday.
Defence – Moritz Bauer, Christopher Jullien, Jack Hendry, Boli Bolingoli
Two of Celtic’s first choice back four suffer the frustration of coming from some of the world’s greatest nations. Both Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli have been playing well for us lately but there’s little chance of them breaking into the respective French and Belgian squads at present.
Moritz Bauer (Austria) and Jack Hendry (Scotland) both played for their national teams last year but haven’t featured since.
Midfield – Marian Shved, Scott Brown, Tom Rogic, Olivier Ntcham, Mikey Johnston
Our team’s midfield five have all missed out on international selection for various reasons. Scott Brown recently retired from Scotland duty for the benefit of his own health, while Olivier Ntcham is no longer eligible for the France under-21 side.
Tom Rogic would usually be selected for Australia but was getting married this month while wingers Marian Shved and Mikey Johnston haven’t been seen for Celtic in weeks.
Forward – Leigh Griffiths
It seems a bit of a wonder that Leigh Griffiths isn’t getting game time for either Celtic or Scotland at present. The former Hibs man has four goals in 19 caps for his country but his well documented personal struggles have put his international career on hold.
Lennon may feel the need to play either Griffiths or fellow non-international forward Vakoun Issouf Bayo against Ross County.
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