Celtic defensive trio left out of Champions League squad
Defenders Maik Nawrocki, Alexandro Bernabei and Yuki Kobayashi have missed out on Celtic’s Champions League squad.
Polish centre-back Nawrocki is out injured with a hamstring problem and faces a continued lay-off of about six weeks along with fellow defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh.
The latter pair have made the 25-man squad with Welsh’s homegrown credentials a potential factor in the decision.
Celtic since signed Nat Phillips on loan from Liverpool to deal with their injury list at the back, with fellow summer signing Gustaf
Japanese central defender Kobayashi is expected to return to fitness soon following an ankle injury but he is not listed in the squad.
Bernabei has played twice this season but has not made the cut with Liam Scales a potential back-up for left-back Greg Taylor after impressing in central defence in the recent win over Rangers.
There is also no place for goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu and summer signing Marco Tilio, who arrived at Celtic with an injury, along with James McCarthy, who last featured in October last year.
Celtic begin their European campaign in Rotterdam next Tuesday against Feyenoord and also face Lazio and Atletico Madrid in their group.
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5 Celtic priorities for Brendan Rodgers to target before next international break as Champions League beckons
The ex-Liverpool and Leicester City boss can show in the next few weeks that his return was worth it
Celtic signed off for the first international break of the campaign with a sweet 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox.
It left their rival supporters fed up already and calling for Michael Beale’s head, while Hoops fans could revel in their derby success. But while Brendan Rodgers ticked off one of his first big tests upon returning to Celtic, he has many more challenges to face ahead – particularly within the next few weeks before players once more head away for international duty in October.
Improved performances
This may be the number one gripe among Celtic supporters just now. Bar the away victory to Aberdeen and large parts of the derby win against Rangers, the Hoops haven’t looked anything like the relentless, swashbuckling machine they were under Ange Postecoglou.
Yes, it’s a different style adopted by a different manager. But not even a Rodgers team is as pedestrian as Celtic have been a lot of times so far this season. The Northern Irishman knows his team are not anywhere near the levels they can reach, so across the next stretch of games, now is the time to address that.
Open up Rangers gap
With improved performances, Celtic fans would like to think positive results will then follow. And if they can get a consistent run of league wins together over the next month or so, they’ll have a chance of extending the small gap they have over Rangers at the moment.
Four points separate the Glasgow rivals, with the Hoops sitting top of the Premiership on goal difference. The Light Blues are in disarray just now, with boss Michael Beale under serious pressure. It’s likely Rangers will slip up again over the next few weeks, so Celtic should try and take advantage of that.
Start Champions League well
It goes without further explanation, really. Celtic have been drawn into a relatively favourable Champions League group this season, avoiding the big hitters such as Real Madrid and Manchester City – opponents they have been outclassed by in the past.
Their opening two ties before the next international adjournment are against Feyenoord away and Lazio at home. Even a minimum of three points from those two games would signal a decent start – four would be brilliant and six, well, quite incredible.
What they can’t afford to do is lose both, for themselves and for Scotland’s UEFA coefficient. Over to you, Celtic.
Get best out of new recruits
Celtic signed 10 players during the summer transfer window, if you include the permanent acquisition of Tomoki Iwata, but perhaps only winger Yang and defender Maik Nawrocki have impressed.
The rest haven’t really caught the eye yet – or at the very least, have shown flashes. In fairness to Luis Palma, Nat Phillips and Paulo Bernardo on the other hand, they obviously need a run of games to get going but Rodgers needs to prove that the big money spent on players like Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm – the three most expensive signings – were worth the dosh transacted.
Win back supporter critics
We all know Rodgers’ second coming was met with plenty of distaste amongst the Parkhead faithful. And even as recent as the home draw to St Johnstone, animosity was seen and felt in the stands.
The 1-0 win over Rangers in the first Old Firm game of the season has got more back on side but there’s still a section of the crowd who are unsure on how his second spell at the club will go.
In essence, achieving a decent share of the four aforementioned priorities will go a long way in Rodgers’ quest to put a smile back on EVERY Celtic fan’s face. The former Liverpool boss will be forgiven for his actions in 2019 if he can deliver results, it’s as simple as that. He’ll put the club’s interests at heart and his doubters will back him again if club succeeds.
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