‘Don’t ever think it’s just about the XI’

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·29 October 2024

‘Don’t ever think it’s just about the XI’ – Squad rotation a sign of growing Celtic strength

Celtic’s ability to rotate against Motherwell shows a sign of strength insists a satisfied Brendan Rodgers.This could be a significant factor over the next week with games against Dundee, Aberdeen and RB Leipzig…

Celtic FC team line up during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Celtic Squad Rotation

The Irishman made four changes at Fir Park to the side that performed so well in Bergamo against Atalanta last Wednesday in the Champions League.

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Among those rotations was Luke McCowan who impressed coming in for the Hoops record breaking signing Arne Engels.

Luke McCowan celebrates his goal. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Others were enforced with skipper Callum McGregor feeling tightness in his abductors leading to the captain sitting out the match in North Lanarkshire. Veteran winger James Forrest made his fourth league start of the season in place for the in form Nicolas Kuhn with the German still managing to find a goal involvement late on in the game when his cross found Adam Idah who slotted past Aston Oxborough.

Idah’s composed finish

Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland forward predictably came out the firing line for Kyogo who failed to create any crucial chances in the match. Kyogo’s striker colleague Idah who was substituted on for the Japanese talisman netted with a composed finish for Celtic’s third on a comfortable afternoon’s work.

Adam Idah celebrates.Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Dundee awaits for the Hoops tomorrow night at Paradise with Celtic looking to retain top spot before heading into Saturday’s exciting battle with Aberdeen for the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

Speaking at his post-match media conference, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers spoke positively of having the option to tweak his personnel.

“I’ve told all the players that they all have a role to play: don’t ever think it’s just about the XI, because with how we work, and with the number of games, the energy we have to put into games, they all know they have a big contribution to make.”

Brendan Rodgers talks to Celtic TV after Celtic’s 3-0 win at Fir Park against Motherwell. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

“We were able to rest Arne [Engels], who’s come in as a young player and played so many games, the distance he covered in midweek was huge. Having the ability to be able to do that, I’m very grateful to the club for getting the players in that allow us to do that.”

Undoubtedly, with Brendan having the luxury to change the squad, he will do likewise on Wednesday evening. Competing in three different competitions in seven days requires a fresh team, and Dundee is a perfect opportunity to once again use different players he has at his disposal.

Conor Spence