This Sunday afternoon, Celtic will face Phillipe Clement’s Rangers side for the first time this season at a brimming Celtic Park. They have enjoyed this fixture recently, winning four of their last five clashes and scoring nine goals in the process. Here is how we expect Brendan Rodgers to set up.
There has been little rotation so far this season from the Champions. They have consciously opted for a similar eleven, which has transpired into a consistent run of victories. However, another reason for this is the lack of transfer activity. Celtic’s outfield squad remained unchanged from last season, up until the last week. The only permanent outfield signings were Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah, who spent loan spells in Glasgow last season. Although, four signings at the end of the window changes the picture and provides more competition for places.
At a packed Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon, Celtic will play the Rangers, captained by Phillipe Clement, for the first time this season. They have recently liked this fixture, winning four of the previous five meetings and scoring nine goals. This is how Brendan Rodgers should position himself.
Thus far this season, the Champions have not rotated much. They have deliberately chosen to field a similar eleven, and this has led to a winning streak. But there’s more to this than just the absence of transfer activity. Up to the last week, Celtic’s outfield roster was the same as it was the previous year. Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah, who were on loan in Glasgow during the previous season, were the only outfield additions that were made permanently. Nevertheless, the final four signings alter the landscape and increase competitiveness for spots.
Every game has seen Kasper Schmeichel start in goal; the other four players are Greg Taylor, Alastair Johnson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Liam Scales. Auston Trusty and Alex Valle, the new additions who are on loan from Barcelona, will try to get past that defense. Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate have started each and every game. Last week, Paulo Bernardo replaced Matt O’Riley, who had negotiated a transfer to Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler. Bernardo will eventually have to contend with record signing Arne Engels, who arrived on deadline day for a £11 million price from Augsburg.
Adam Idah and James Forrest have been enjoying a lot of playing time up front, with Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, and Kyogo’s game time being limited mainly by minor ailments.
With a 3-0 victory away to St. Mirren last week, the season’s flawless start was maintained. Celtic’s formation was 4-3-3 as usual, but there were a few noticeable tactical changes. Reo Hatate assumed the role of the most advanced midfielder, making the striker-like runs into the box, due to Matt O’Riley’s absence from the squad. This was demonstrated in his second goal, as he finished a lovely half-volley on his weaker left peg by being in the right position at the right moment. Alastair Johnson also adopted a more pivotal role, contributing significantly to each of the three goals, especially the first one where he set up Callum McGregor for an open score by moving Mark O’Hara out of the center of the field with a decoy run.
Also, the midfield trio rotated well, attempting to exploit St. Mirren’s 5-3-2 formation.
On matchday four, Celtic takes on Rangers. They have dominated every game they have played and have not let up a goal in the league. It will be a harder challenge on Sunday.
Celtic has a clear medical report. Cameron Carter-Vickers wasn’t practicing on Friday, which raised concerns about his health. However, Brendan Rodgers later disclosed that the American center back had been given the day off. Celtic’s on-field performances can be credited for their absence of injuries. They have been able to play with less intensity late in the game because it is already over and make rotating substitutions because they have been winning so easily and scored goals early.
Kasper Schmeichel has started every game in goal, meanwhile, Alastair Johnson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor have completed a back four. New signings Alex Valle (on loan from Barcelona) and Auston Trusty will be looking to break into that defence. Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate have started every game meanwhile Paulo Bernardo took Matt O’Riley’s place last week as the Dane secured a move down south to Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton. Overtime, Bernardo will have to fight with record signing Arne Engels who joined from Augsburg on deadline day for a fee of £11 million.
Up front, only minor injuries have limited the game time of Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo, with Adam Idah and James Forrest getting some considerable game time.
The perfect start to the season continued last week with a 3-0 away to St Mirren. As always, Celtic lined up in a 4-3-3, although there was a few notable tactical shifts. The absence of Matt O’Riley in the team meant that Reo Hatate took the role as the most advanced midfielder making the striker-like runs into the box. We saw this in his second goal where he found himself in the right place at the right time to finish a beautiful half-volley on his weaker left peg. Alastair Johnson also took a more inverted role playing a major role in all three goals, particularly the first when his decoy run removed Mark O’Hara from the centre of the pitch and gave Callum McGregor the space to open the scoring.
Plus, there was excellent rotation from the midfield three who looked to stretch the 5-3-2 system of St Mirren.
As Celtic play Rangers on matchday four, they are yet to concede a goal in the league and have dominated every match they’ve played. Sunday will be a tougher test.
It’s a clean bill of health for Celtic. There was an injury scare as it was noticed that Cameron Carter-Vickers wasn’t training on Friday however, Brendan Rodgers revealed that the American centre-back was given a rest day. Celtic can attribute their lack of injuries to the performances on the park. As they have been winning so comfortably and scoring early goals they have been able to make rotational substitutions, plus play with less of an intensity late on as the game is already done and dusted.
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