A debate to be had on Celtic’s current strongest XI for Champions League

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The Celtic Star

·15 Januari 2025

A debate to be had on Celtic’s current strongest XI for Champions League

As we get ever closer to the resumption of the Champions League next week, kicking off with a home tie against Young Boys before heading to Birmingham the following week to take on Aston Villa, I’ve been wondering recently what team Brendan Rodgers is going to go with in these crucial fixtures…

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v RB Leipzig, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Celtic Park on – 5th November 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Rodgers rotating domestically

Domestically we have all got used to the manager rotating the team pretty much game to game but heading into these two huge ties we know he will go with his strongest eleven from the start. The thing is, what is our current strongest eleven going on recent form?

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Since the turn of the year our form has been patchy to say the least. A couple of relatively easy wins against Dundee United and St Mirren only tell half the story as we have toiled in the other three games this month. We managed a 4-1 win up in Dingwall but the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story as it wasn’t until the last few minutes that we finally buried Ross County.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor gives a thumbs up to the fans at full-time after a 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Celtic v RB Leipzig, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 05 November 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Horror show against theRangers

Then we had two games where we have dropped points, the 3-0 horror show against theRangers on 2nd January and last night’s 3-3 draw against Dundee at Dens Park.

As I said the starting eleven has been constantly rotated throughout this spell so it’s hard to know what the manager is thinking in regards to what is the strongest team at his disposal. Injuries to perhaps our two best players this season has also complicated things. Going on current form and in the belief that both Maeda and Kühn will be back this time next week then there are only a few positions that I would say are worth discussing.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic runs with the ball under pressure from Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Scales or Trusty?

I would say that pretty much all fans would agree that the backline has only one tricky decision that needs made, who partners Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre of defence? Schmeichel, Johnston and CCV are all certain starters, and personally I think Taylor over Valle on current form is also an easy decision.

So do we go for Trusty or Scales as the left sided centre back?

Celtic players pose for a team photo on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I’ve mentioned in previous articles that I feel like Scales has become a bit of a whipping boys recently. Yes he had an absolute stinker against theRangers a few weeks ago but apart from that I think he’s been quite steady this season. Was Scales performance any worse than what we saw from Trusty last night?

Reliable in Europe

Personally I think Trusty’s was the worst of the two. Trusty however has looked fantastic in the European games he has played so far, with Atalanta being a real stand out. For this reason alone I would start with the American but I wouldn’t be worried or disappointed if we went with Liam.

Liam Scales, Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Kuhn and Maeda are certain starters if fit

If Kühn and Maeda are fully fit and raring to go then they are certain starters which leaves the three centre midfield berths open for discussion. This is probably the most important decision the manager will have to make.

It’s an area that we have rotated constantly this season and to be honest it’s hard to know which three are the strongest. On paper I would say Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels are the best three midfielders we have.

Consistency concerns

On current form however I think differently. McGregor is almost guaranteed to start as the captain on his day can influence the whole game and is the best player in our squad. He hasn’t been in great form these past few weeks but going into such crucial matches without him orchestrating everything in the middle is unthinkable.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring the second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

We then have four players left vying for two positions. I think Reo Hatate has struggled pretty much all season and it’s hard to make a case for him starting. He has produced some memorable moments this season but in general I don’t think he’s providing enough all round to be included. Paulo Bernardo is a player I like but a bit like Hatate, he just hasn’t shown enough consistently to be included.

Arne Engels scores. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Engels and McCowan impressing

Arne Engels after a relatively slow start has come on leaps and bounds recently and I think he should get his chance to put his stamp on the European stage. I would also go with Luke McCowan who has shown more consistency than both Bernardo and Hatate. I’m struggling to think of many games where he has struggled this season and he has been both more creative and a bigger goal threat than both Hatate and Bernardo.

Kyogo ahead of Idah

Kyogo has proved over these last few games that he’s still crucial to this Celtic team and I have no doubt that Rodgers will start with him as our striker. Adam Idah looks absolutely bereft of confidence recently and although I have great faith that the Irishman will find his scoring boots again before too long, the Champions League is not the place for struggling strikers to try and find their form.

Luke McCowan opens the scoring, Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

It’s going to be interesting to see what Brendan has planned and if anyone has their own opinions on who should be included in our strongest starting eleven feel free to comment below.

Conall McGinty