From Dortmund to Dingwall, domestic dominance Celtic’s Sunday mission

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The Celtic Star

·5 October 2024

From Dortmund to Dingwall, domestic dominance Celtic’s Sunday mission

From Dortmund to Dingwall, domestic reality sets back in for the Hoops tomorrow lunchtime with a trip to face Don Cowie’s Ross County…

The Staggies sit mid-table despite only winning one of their seven league games so far this season. The Highlanders have been draw specialists drawing games against Motherwell, Dundee United, St Johnstone and most recently Hearts.

The Hoops have won their last five matches at the Global Energy Stadium. That run extends to 11 games adding in fixtures at Celtic Park. Neil Lennon’s final game in charge as Celtic manager back in February 2021 was the last time Ross County beat Celtic.

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The expectation is that Brendan Rodgers will rotate for tomorrow’s clash. Defensive injuries to Alistair Johnston (who will travel), Greg Taylor and Cameron-Carter Vickers (both out and will not travel) means that Alex Valle and Anthony Ralston will most likely step into the back four while Auston Trusty will get another start.

Other rotations could likely happen, Adam Idah has yet to start a league fixture since his permanent return to the club in the summer. So too may James Forrest and Luke McCowan who have made cameo appearances in recent weeks.

With it being the last competitive game for Celtic prior to another international break, this would be a perfect opportunity for Brenda Rodgers to make several changes. Freshness is required following a harsh lesson in the Champions League in Germany.

St Johnstone v Celtic – Callum McGregor celebrates with team-mates after scoring our fourth goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth on Saturday September 28, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Looking ahead to the Premiership encounter, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers talked up his opponents, “we have seen them play, obviously in the sort of 3-5-2 structure. From the build-up, it’ll go directly up to the strikers. Young Ronan Hale has done really well coming in from Cliftonville, scored three goals in seven games, and he’ll have an enthusiasm to play against Celtic, I’m sure.”

St Johnstone v Celtic – Callum McGregor celebrates scoring our fourth goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth on Saturday September 28, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Rodgers added, “there always tough games, tight pitch, we’ll have a great support there, and we aim to get back on track with a high performance level of what we’ve shown and look to bounce back with a good victory, but we know up there it’s always tough.”

Having dismantled every domestic opponent in sight, Celtic will be hoping to continue their perfect start to the league season with three points and make it seven from seven.

Conor Spence

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