Celtic fans find themselves in a strange situation as club football isn’t totally absent from this international break as the Bhoys take on Sligo Rovers come Wednesday night.
The Bhoys are fresh from a dramatic comeback victory over Ross County last weekend, where Nicolas Kuhn’s late winner in Dingwall maintained their place at the summit.
Speaking ahead of the match, Brendan Rodgers revealed Celtic will field a ‘mixture’ of first-teamers and youngsters against Sligo Rovers before their focus turns to preparations for Aberdeen once the Scottish Premiership calendar resumes.
With the sold-out clash at the Showgrounds set to attract a large away crowd as fans from the Emerald Isle travel to see their heroes in action, Hoops fans without tickets can also watch from the comfort of their own home for €10 (£8.39) via League of Ireland TV.
Excitement is building ahead of the occasion, offering Celtic fans a chance to sample some lesser-seen names in action, so who could get a chance to impress against John Russell’s men?
Daniel Cummings could lead the Celtic line
Eyes are always fixed on young stars with the potential to make the grade at Celtic, and young striker Daniel Cummings is someone with a goalscoring habit that will intrigue supporters.
The 18-year-old has been on an impressive spree this season, scoring 12 times in 12 appearances across all competitions and may be allowed to lead the line, with Kyogo Furuhashi’s fitness unlikely to be risked on Irish shores.
Last month, Cummings scored a double for Celtic against Slovan Bratislava in their UEFA Youth League opener at Lesser Hampden, illustrating his clinical edge extends to the European scene and isn’t just limited to the Lowland League.
First-team openings are few and far between for Lennoxtown products, but it may be his ideal chance to step into the fold and show what he can offer against Sligo Rovers.
Maik Nawrocki’s need for minutes at Celtic
Casting the spotlight on a more senior figure at the club, Maik Nawrocki could do with a chance to shake the Celtic cobwebs off after making just one brief substitute appearance this term against Falkirk.
The 23-year-old has suffered with his fair share of injuries since joining last summer, so it may not be a bad thing to get some minutes in his legs before the Bhoys’ heavy fixture schedule ensues.
Intriguingly, Celtic were open to offers for Nawrocki in the summer, just a year after the Polish defender came in the door. However, an exit never came to fruition and he is still part of the furniture in Glasgow.
While evaluating younger prospects will be an imperative part of Wednesday night’s exercise, a handful of senior players may also benefit from some time on the pitch. You can add Luis Palma. Odin Thiago Holm and Stephen Welsh to that list.
Celtic starlet Francis Turley’s scope to impress Brendan Rodgers
Francis Turley is already well-liked by Celtic boss Rodgers, who praised the Northern Ireland youth international for his stellar performances in pre-season and scope to continue developing at the club.
He stated: “With time and development he can be an excellent footballer. He’s got a good idea of the game, he’s technically good, he can be very strong. We just need to wait for the maturation with him, he’s only 18 years old, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the young players.”
Handed his senior Celtic debut against St Mirren back in August, there is a real wave of excitement about the prodigious midfielder.
Admiration for his talent doesn’t stop at club level, with Michael O’Neill hinting a senior Northern Ireland call-up isn’t miles away for Turley if he continues to develop at his current rate.
His national team aren’t in Under-19 action until November. Meanwhile, Tommy Wright hasn’t opted to draft him into the Under-21 set-up, so there could be another chance for him to step into the senior Celtic side at the Showgrounds.
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