Celtic play Nomme Kalju in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Celtic head into tonight’s UEFA Champions League second qualifying round match against Nomme Kalju in excellent shape.
Neil Lennon’s side thrashed the Estonian champions 5-0 at Celtic Park last week and save for a footballing miracle will progress to the next round to face CFR Cluj or Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
With the Scottish Premiership kicking off this weekend, the comfortable lead gives the Hoops boss a great opportunity to rest players and get some much-needed minutes into the legs of those who have not featured much this summer.
The changes start in goal where Craig Gordon is in line to make his first competitive start since Neil Lennon joined the club. Scott Bain has been fantastic throughout 2019 but the manager told The Daily Record yesterday that Gordon has a “good chance” of starting in Estonia.
It looks like a battle for the number one spot is heating up, with Lennon remarking he’s been very impressed with Gordon in training recently. It’s a massive chance for the veteran goalkeeper to show he still has the skills necessary to perform for Celtic.
In defence Lennon has confirmed that Christopher Jullien will make his debut alongside Jozo Simunovic, with the duo suspended for this weekend’s St Johnstone match.
Ajer has performed excellently at right-back over the last few weeks and while a back three is a possibility, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back on that flank in a back four. New signing Hatem Abd Elhamed wasn’t registered in time for the tie.
Boli Bolingoli went off last week with illness and while he’s recovered, it’s a good chance for Jonny Hayes to build fitness at left-back. He may be needed to fill in over the coming weeks, with Kieran Tierney still recovering from injury.
In midfield, wingers Scott Sinclair and Lewis Morgan were specifically mentioned by Lennon as players he could turn to. James Forrest has been left at home to rest up ahead of the weekend’s action.
On the left and right flanks both players, if they start, will have a big stage to stake their claim for more regular football as the team head deeper into the season. Goals or assists will be their big aim.
Callum McGregor has also been left at home to rest meaning Olivier Ntcham could get the nod. The Frenchman came off the bench last week after spending much of pre-season on international duty. Can he put his controversial summer behind him and show he still has a Celtic future?
Ryan Christie and Scott Brown could be two that survive their manager’s big team rotation. Christie has been in lethal form of late, while the calming presence of Brown should inspire the Hoops to produce the professional performance required away from home in Europe.
That just leaves a big decision to be made in attack and Leigh Griffiths should get the nod.
The Scotland international returned to scoring for the club last week after a long absence, banging in a wonderful free-kick. He should have the confidence and fitness required to fill in for Odsonne Edouard, who deserves a night of rest ahead of this weekend’s league match.
Your predicted lineup in full is:
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