Michael Stewart suggests back four Celtic should start with against Astana; Nir Bitton dropped

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Celtic face Astana in a Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday, and Michael Stewart has suggested that Brendan Rodgers should drop Nir Bitton.

Former Scottish Premiership midfielder Michael Stewart has suggested to The Scottish Sun that Brendan Rodgers should leave Nir Bitton out of the Celtic side that starts against Astana for their Champions League play-off first-leg tie on Wednesday, and should instead pick youngster Anthony Ralston in the back four.

The Hoops have had to cope with a shortage of defenders during the early weeks of the season, with Bitton often filling in at centre-back.

And while the Israel international had previously impressed when deployed in the role, his performance against Partick Thistle suggested that it would be a major gamble for Rodgers to keep faith with him for the European tie, especially as he made a rash challenge in the penalty area during the final minutes of the contest.

And Stewart has suggested that rather than pick Bitton again, Rodgers should turn to the 18-year-old and shuffle his options around.

“Going with the midfielder once more as a makeshift central defender for the Hoops for Wednesday night’s play-off first leg against Astana would be a huge gamble,” he told The Scottish Sun.

“However, let me introduce what I consider to be a genuine alternative option for Rodgers and one I also feel he will be seriously considering.

“Go with the kid Tony Ralston at right back and shift highly-experienced Mikael Lustig into the middle of defence alongside Jozo Simunovic.”

While Stewart has thrown his support behind Ralston, that would also surely be a gamble for the Bhoys to pick the teenager given that he has only made a handful of appearances for the club.

However, he did impress in the League Cup tie with Kilmarnock earlier this month, getting on the scoresheet in the emphatic 5-0 win. And perhaps the confidence he would have gained from that display may help him step up if he is given the nod over Bitton.