Motherwell v Celtic – Rotation is vital but getting three points is Celtic’s priority

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The Celtic Star

·26 October 2024

Motherwell v Celtic – Rotation is vital but getting three points is Celtic’s priority

After a gruelling battle on Wednesday evening in Bergamo, Brendan Rodgers has the opportunity to use the squad tomorrow against Motherwell…

Celtic FC players applaud the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

To remain mentally concentrated for 95 minutes against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Europa League title winners was some ask. But, the players well and truly delivered and then some on Wednesday evening in Bergamo.

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Question marks over Alistair Johnston’s fitness

However, the toll this must have taken both mentally and physically on the players surely means that the Celtic manager will ring the changes for the clash at Fir Park tomorrow afternoon. That is not to underestimate Motherwell, who although being beaten by Dundee 1-0 in North Lanarkshire last Saturday, have had a terrific start to their domestic campaign.

Heading into the encounter with the Steelmen there are question marks over Alistair Johnston’s fitness. The Canadian just about managed to make it through the game at Gewiss Stadium having picked up cramp in the final minutes. Anthony Ralston is waiting in the wings. Scotland internationalist Ralston is fresh having started in Steve Clarke’s latest round of Nations League fixtures, and could be given his first Premiership start of the season.

Anthony Ralston battles for the ball with Jamie Gittens during the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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Davide Zappacosta is pressured by Luke McCowan during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Luke McCowan deserves a start, Kyogo coming back in

Meanwhile, Luke McCowan deserves a chance to play from the off. Every time he has featured in green and white Hoops since his arrival from Dundee, the midfield playmaker has been so impressive. Calm in possession, but he shows a real attacking intent, causing havoc to opposition defences like we saw last Saturday versus Aberdeen where his presence led to an increase in chance creation.

Understandably, Brendan Rodgers used Adam Idah as an outball against Atalanta, and it was the Irishman’s two crucial goals last season at Fir Park that turned the tide for Celtic in the title race. However, the expectation will be that Kyogo, who has four league goals to his name, will return to the starting XI.

Kyogo Furuhashi competes for the ball with Ederson during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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Celtic v theRangers – Scottish Cup – Final – Hampden. Anthony Ralston, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor celebrate with the trophy on Saturday May 25, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor on the bench

Despite Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor’s welcome return from injury, it is doubtful they will be thrown in from the start. American centre-back Carter-Vickers has not featured for the Hoops since the 14 September which was a league fixture against Hearts. Whilst Taylor, who could be entering into his final few months as a Celtic player, has not been seen for Celtic since a tormenting night in Dortmund at the beginning of the month.

Rotation is vital

Celtic FC players applaud the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Rotation is vital, there is lots of quality within the squad and tomorrow’s contest with Motherwell is a perfect opportunity to make some changes. It does not have to be radical, but to freshen personnel up ahead of a congested set of fixtures across three different competitions would make sense.

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Fir Park, photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Motherwell v Celtic kicks off at 3pm on Sunday 27 October. The match is live on Sky Sports and also on Celtic TV for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.

Conor Spence