Brendan Rodgers has some big calls to make ahead of Celtic’s trip to Munich on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
You would imagine that Celtic’s win over Dundee United on Saturday has forced Brendan Rodgers to think twice and has just added to the conundrums on his manager’s desk.
The main one everyone is talking about is whether Daizen Maeda plays down the middle and if Jota should come into the XI for Adam Idah.
But another talking point is, who should start at left-back? Greg Taylor or January signing, Jeffrey Schlupp.
Taylor started the first leg, but as per, he received mixed reviews from the Celtic Park faithful for his performance and some want a change for the return leg.
Even though Schlupp started against Dundee United, it doesn’t really signal what Rodgers will do for the Munich trip because Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate also started.
But Stiliyan Petrov is pretty clear in what he would do at the Allianz Arena.
Stiliyan Petrov picks between Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp for Celtic’s trip to Bayern Munich
There is one thing being match fit and sharp for a domestic team in Scotland, but it’s another world being at that standard for Europe’s elite competition.
And that’s the issue facing Schlupp after he joined Celtic on transfer deadline day from Crystal Palace.
Petrov stated that he would start Taylor ‘no doubt about it’, even though Michael Olise’s and Bayern’s opening goal came from his side.
The legendary midfielder also highlighted on the Warm-Up how Schlupp probably isn’t ready to start a game of this calibre.
“You have got one of the best finishers in the world, Harry Kane,” said Petrov. “I tell you what, he had time to sit up, time to strike the ball and volley it from about five yards. Unheard of.
“This is something when Celtic play the big teams, you have to pay good concentration on these moments and you have to realise those moments do make the difference if you want to develop and go to the next stage.
“I would play Taylor, at the moment. There is no doubt about it. I questioned Taylor’s positioning when Olise scored. Just pulling away from that centre-back. You don’t leave that space. As soon as you pull away. Just stay in and let him go on his right foot.
“Or, delay him and just let somebody come to help you. I know it’s easy to say. But those kinds of players, with those qualities, they just change so quickly.
“But I play Taylor, definitely. Schlupp, I think he’s a good signing, but I think he needs to get up to speed with his fitness.”
Schlupp’s stats for Celtic
As soon as Schlupp enters the Celtic building, he is thrown straight into the deep end, so it isn’t an easy task for him either.
The 32-year-old had played less than 300 minutes for Palace this term, so he wasn’t exactly joining after riding a wave.
But, you can’t argue that he has done what he can and hasn’t put a foot wrong, with WhoScored rating his performances so far at just under seven.
Whatever call Rodgers makes, it’s going to be a talking point after the game because that’s just what has been happening with Taylor this season.
Although, the last time Celtic were on the road – away at Villa Park – he did serve himself well.
Leave a Reply