Three selection dilemmas for Brendan Rodgers ahead of Astana clash

Celtic are undefeated this season but that record will be put to the test as they take on Kazakh side Astana in the Champions League play-off round. The Hoops have successfully negotiated ties against Linfield and Rosenborg and will be hoping the Parkhead crowd gives them the edge to get over this last hurdle.

Ahead of the crunch encounter we look at three selection dilemmas for Brendan Rodgers.

Nir Bitton or Kristoffer Ajer?

The chief headache for Rodgers will be who partners Jozo Simunovic in the centre of defence. His two most experienced central defenders, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko, are missing through injury. The options the Northern Irishman is left with are Nir Bitton as a makeshift defender or teenager Kristoffer Ajer.

Bitton has slotted in beside Simunovic for the last two league games and has looked assured for the most part. At home to Hearts on the opening day of the season he dealt with the physical presence of Kyle Lafferty extremely well but experienced a few jittery moments at Partick Thistle last week.

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The Israeli international completely lost his marker for the Jags’ best chance of the game and was fortunate not to concede a penalty in the final moments after a clumsy challenge. You can see his naivety in the position at times but one big factor to consider is his distribution from the back. Bitton gives the side the extra quality in the build up from the defence which Rodgers might want to make full use of to get his men on the front foot.

Ajer, meanwhile, has come back from his loan spell with Kilmarnock a much improved player. The Norwegian’s displays during pre-season were solid and in the two competitive matches he’s started the Hoops have kept a clean sheet in both. The only thing he has against him is lack of big game experience but he’s shown he’s got the potential to shine under immense pressure.

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Leigh Griffiths or a false nine?

After the win over Thistle, Rodgers admitted: “I don’t think any of our players are 100 per cent (fit).” Not only has the former Liverpool boss got defensive problems to overcome but he also faces an offensive quandary. Moussa Dembele is ruled out while the in form Leigh Griffiths has a calf problem but is likely to start.

It’s a risk should Rodgers decide to use Griffiths from the start given he only played half an hour at Firhill. Even though the Bhoys are much better with Griffiths in the side, a slight over exertion on his troubled calf could see him ruled out for the best part of a month which is a nightmare scenario with the second leg in Kazakhstan. Perhaps a more conservative approach is needed where the striker only plays for 30 or 40 minutes.

A possible solution would be to use a false nine. Rodgers tried it against Rosenborg over both legs using Tom Rogic and Jonny Hayes in the role while James Forrest occupied that spot against Thistle although there was evidently a lack of rhythm in all the matches the Hoops played without a clear reference up front. The best option, therefore, might be Scott Sinclair. Even though Rodgers prefers the Englishman on the left wing he undoubtedly has the pace, movement and composure in front of goal to make up for Griffiths’ absence if Rodgers leaves his no.9 on the bench.

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Who plays as the no.10?

This is less off a worry for the gaffer but a tough decision awaits him in the midfield area nonetheless. Does he chose the class and guile of Tom Rogic or the energy and efficiency of Callum McGregor in the no.10 role?

The fact that McGregor started over Rogic last Friday suggests Rodgers was wrapping the latter up in cotton wool and the Aussie will get the nod on Wednesday. As previously mentioned, Rogic is the creative jewel in this Celtic side, the one who can light a game up with some technical excellence. In Europe possessing a player with the ability to open a side up is priceless and that’s exactly what the Celts will require against a well organised Astana side.

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On the other hand McGregor offers the option of a late runner into the box who can finish off moves with tremendous instinct while offering better pressing ability and more defensive cover than Rogic. Both are game changers and match winners but Rogic’s extra flare gives him the edge over his midfield counterpart.