Brendan Rodgers faces 6 Celtic decisions for Aberdeen as Ross County rout hands him headache – predicted XI
Brendan Rodgers faces SIX big Celtic decisions for his trip to Aberdeen after his rotated squad passed their weekend test with flying colours.
The Hoops boss switched things up at home to Ross County and it paid off and more with his troops running out 5-0 winners and maintaining their unbeaten run while also handing vital match minutes from the off for a number of stars. Such was the quality of the performance, the Parkhead gaffer has stated he would have NO hesitation naming the same XI and made the point that the players coming in are not cover players.
Looking deeper ahead of the top of the table clash, you would suspect that the Celtic boss will make changes again from that triumph over the Staggies. Liam Scales - who has not put a foot wrong - came into the team and scored in place of Auston Trusty, but the the USA international is one you'd expect to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back in the Granite City.
It's the midfield where the big decisions will come after Luke McCowan showed exactly why he was brought in from Dundee. Whether it is minutes off the bench or from the off, he has shown he has the quality in his locker to succeed and he put on a star of the show display at Parkhead. Paulo Bernardo is another who impressed with the duo leaving it all out there to be the duo to partner Callum McGregor. The skipper is the one guarantee in that midfield three with Reo Hatate and Arne Engels the other options.
The £11milion record signing has struggled a little lately as he continues to settle down into his new surroundings and given the form of his deputies at the weekend, Rodgers could be tempted to leave him out of the firing line but he could also put that arm around the shoulder and give the youngster that show of faith that could boost him mentally and get the best out of him. After all for the big money spent, he was brought in for the big occasions.
That could mean that Hatate is the one to miss out and after giving McCowan big licks during his media duties, it could be another shot from the off for the man who notched a goal and three assists last weekend.
Up top Kyogo has traditionally been the key man under Ange Postecoglou and now Rodgers since his arrival in Scotland. The fans' favourite causes regular havoc for opposition defenders with his incredible movement, but Adam Idah is also knocking on the door with the £9million signing desperate for a run of starts. He got the nod at the weekend and added another goal to his tally to follow up the double from the bench at Hearts the previous outing. With three goals in two games he is bang in form.
How Celtic could line up against Aberdeen at Pittodrie
Celtic squad in full
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel
Viljami Sinisalo
Defenders
Alistair Johnston
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Auston Trusty
Greg Taylor
Liam Scales
Alex Valle
Anthony Ralson
Midfielders
Callum McGregor
Arne Engels
Reo Hatate
Paulo Bernardo
Luke McCowan
Attackers
Kyogo
Adam Idah
Nicolas Kuhn
James Forrest
Daizen Maeda
Yang