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The 2 strong Celtic teams as Brendan Rodgers threatens to crack code that’s 20 years in the making
Brendan Rodgers describes the long football winter as an ultramarathon with the games coming thick and fast right up for the next few months.
It’s just as well it’s more of a relay than an individual race as the Celtic manager is going to need all of his runners to stay on the trophy track. And that’s one thing the Hoops don’t lack. Rodgers has assembled a squad packed with strength in depth and while a strongest starting XI has started to emerge in recent weeks, there are plenty of players who can all be considered part of the first team.
There’s going to be plenty of chopping and changing over the coming months, with sore knees and weary limbs, but has Rodgers managed to find that Scottish football sweet squad Dick Advocaat’s Rangers dreamed of more than two decades ago? Back then, Sir David Murray proclaimed the Ibrox club had THREE teams on the books – one for Europe, one for the league and another one for the cups.
READ MORE: Rangers alarm bells are sounding as Philippe Clement handed non-negotiable
It turned out to be fanciful thinking but with the resources currently being enjoyed across the city at Parkhead, it’s not to big a leap to suggest the Hoops have two different sides that could quite conceivably do the business most weeks. Assuming everyone is fit, it’s worth testing the theory...
First 11
Kasper Schmeichel: A no-brainer this one. Celtic replaced one top class experienced keeper with another when the Dane came in after Joe Hart retired. Schmeichel is a huge presence who makes big saves and is crucial to Celtic’s play with his ability with the ball at his feet.
Alistair Johnston: The Canada star was an instant hit when he arrived a couple of years ago but he’s kicked on again in the last 12 months to become one of the main men at Celtic. It’s no wonder the club are trying to tie him down to a new long term deal.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: The big centre-back has had his injury struggles but there’s no doubt he’s the first choice centre back when fit. The US cap is built like a tank but has a surprising turn of pace and reads the game superbly.
Auston Trusty: The £6m signing from Sheffield United didn’t have an easy start being used on the right side in Carter-Vickers absence. But he’s really come on to a game and it now looks like he’s cemented his place in the side.
Greg Taylor: Hugely under-appreciated – until he’s not in the team. Any time Taylor is out he’s severely missed and although he now has competition, he’s still a big part of the first team and vital to the way the Hoops attack.
Callum McGregor: No comment needed.
Reo Hatate: The Japanese ace has the ability to frustrate his manager at times because he is so off the cuff and it can lead to possession being lost. But that weakness is also his strength as he does things that no opponent can predict and when he is on his game most rivals can’t cope.
Arne Engels: The £11m arrival from Augsburg is still finding his feet and there’s been a couple of times when he’s been taken aback by the frantic pace in Scotland. But he oozes class and has shown in big European games that he’s got the tools to be a top player.
Daizen Maeda: A manager’s dream. The running machine set the tone for Celtic’s relentless pressing, harassing the life out of defenders and while his final ball is sometimes a tad wacky, he weighs in with his fair share of goals and assists.
Nicolas Kuhn: Arguably the best player in the country right now. Took a while to settle but now up and running and his blistering pace and ability to punish teams in the final third has got folk touting him as the next mega money asset.
Kyogo: Hasn’t quite hit the same goal heights as he reached in his first couple of seasons but his role in the team is no less important. His movement and pace causes problems for defences and creates space for others, and he’s a player that produces in the big moments.
Second 11
Viljami Sinisalo: Hoops fans haven’t seen much of Sinisalo yet but he’s a Finland cap and has bags of potential, so is being groomed to be Schmeichel’s long term successor.
Anthony Ralston: His manager loves him and it’s understandable. Ralston just quietly goes about his business and never lets his side down when the call comes.
Stephen Welsh: Welsh is another who is always ready to do his boss a turn when needed and has plenty of experience now.
Liam Scales: It’s a toss up with Trusty to be in the starting line up as the Irish international has been superb in recent seasons. Harsh to leave him out, in fact.
Alex Valle: Another one who must be close to being a regular starter as he provides so much going forward. The on-loan Barcelona ace is breathing down Taylor’s neck and might nudge his way in soon.
Paulo Bernardo: Another player who could be in the starting line up and no one would bat an eyelid. The Portuguese playmaker is a top player and has been performing at a top level whether from kick-off or coming off the bench.
Luke McCowan: The deadline day arrival from Dundee hasn’t looked out of place at Parkhead and he’s going to play a big part in the coming months.
Odin Thiago Holm: A bit of a mystery man. Highly rated when he arrived from Norway he’s found it hard going making much of an impact.
James Forrest: He might be 33-years-old now and his club legend status secure, but the wide man is still capable of doing the business for Celtic. Yang has struggled at times but his cameo against RB Leipzig suggests brighter times ahead.
Luis Palma: A bit of an enigma and doesn’t quite have the engine for Rodgers’ pressing game. But still has a wand of a right boot and can affect games when needed.
Adam Idah: The striker is far from a back-up as he shares frontman duties with Kyogo. Hasn’t quite been as explosive as he was last term but has the tools and is a strong option for Rodgers.
Bench men
Scott Bain: Has made more than 70 appearances for Celtic and can slot in no problem.
Yang: Looked a bit light weight last term but Rodgers is working hard with him behind the scenes and his cameo against RB Leipzig suggests bright times ahead.
Maik Nawrocki: A bit of an enigma after arriving from Poland for big money and plenty of pedigree. Time is running out to make an impact.
And then there's the young team: Francis Turley; Joey Dawson; Daniel Cummings; Michael Frame.
