Celtic fans here in the Tavern are in for a messy night after celebrations continue long into the night after the current run their side is on.
The Hoops have enjoyed their greatest time in the history of the green and white shirt, currently in the midst of a 64 game unbeaten streak, life couldn’t get much better at Celtic Park.
Many managers have been tasked with running the ropes at the most decorated football club in Scotland, yet not many can say that they’ve had quite the effect that Brendan Rodgers has. Having begun his Scottish legacy back in 2016 when he took over from English giants Liverpool, the 44-year-old has given Celtic fans the season’s they’ve been dreaming of, from titles to breaking records, the list has become endless.
Sitting at the top of the SPFL, can they go unbeatable?
However, it’s not all been positives for the Hoops.
Drawn with the task of facing giants Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich, a Champions League exit looked to be inevitable before a ball was even kicked.
Having lost 5-0 to the French giants last time out at home, a chance of gaining a result is currently looking pretty bleak, as the Bhoys in the bar pray for a sport in the Europa League knockout phases after Christmas.
But with Rodgers and his side in fine fetal heading into the clash, who’s to say that these TWO factors won’t help enforce a Celtic win…
4-2-3-1 switch up
Brendan Rodgers is always finding himself switching up the way he sets his side up depending on the opposition they are coming up against.
The Hoops were utilized in a defensive fashion, setting up with a 4-5-1 formation, which perhaps couldn’t have gone any worse for Rodgers and his side. A flat midfield last time out was the undoing in this Celtic side, due to the how easy it was for the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to receive passes through the midfield line, meaning they were left with a straight run at the defence.
Now looking to inflict some revenge on the opposition, a switch to 4-2-3-1 may just be the answer. Providing the team with a sense of security going backwards in the form of two central defensive midfielders that can intercept any passes through the middle, along with the attackers being much further forward, posing an added threat to a back line who’s defenders love to move forward.
A change in personnel
Celtic entertained the French side in the midst of an injury crisis due to some of their key players sat out on the sideline.
Moussa Dembele was out injured, while Nirs Bitton, James Forrest and Callum McGregor all found themselves on the bench.
In having such a small target as Leigh Griffiths up top, this limited the options in an attacking sense due to the holdup play not being there, making it even harder to get men up to support. But with the return of the highly rated Dembele, they’ve hit the ground running, as his pure strength and pace has been a feature in many player’s nightmares so far this season.
So Celtic fans, thoughts?
