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Ange’s Team Selection For Celtic Today Puts His Faith In His Own Clear-Cut Vision.

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So Ange has named his team for the day, and guess what? Not one of the three players I wrote about yesterday has made the starting line-up! But of course! He has dropped Welsh, there is no place for Abada and he’s gone with Kyogo up front.

At another time I might be cursing my judgement. But you know what? This is Ange’s team in every way. He has picked the team that fits with his vision. It’s clear now – very clear – that he view Maeda as crucial to his plans, and he should as Maeda is a great player and was the guy he wanted to sign before anyone else. He trusts him.

The same applies to Kyogo, who is clearly his first pick up front no matter how brilliantly Giakoumakis does. The inclusion of Turnbull in the team today suggests that Mooy might not be fully there yet in terms of his fitness.

Here’s a surprise. Greg Taylor keeps his place. And in central defence we’ve got Moritz Jenz. Yes, Jenz, not Lenz as I spelled it yesterday (and thanks to everyone who pointed it out!) Which means that Welsh, who I thought might start, is on the bench.

Look, this is our squad strength shining through. Even in a squad where there’s no Hatate or Ideguchi, you can see that we’ve got strength in depth now.

The starting eleven speaks for itself;

Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor, McGregor, Turnbull, O’Riley, Jota, Kyogo, Maeda.

That’s powerful. That’s good enough to beat any team in this division. But look, for a moment, at that bench and tell me we’re not in the best place we’ve been as a club in a long, long time.

Siegrst, Starfelt, Giakoumakis, Abada, Mooy, McCarthy, Bernabei, Forrest, Ralston

There is a backup for every position. There are game-changers and match-winners we can bring on if need be. That is true strength in depth, and is why I’d have been looking forward to this one today no matter who he selected to start.

It’s game time, folks, and I’ll see you good people on the other side.

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  • Tino says:

    Welsh isn’t on the bench

  • John S says:

    I’d have kept Welsh in.

  • Don Cowie says:

    Slight worry about Ange is possibly that he is a wee bit biased towards the players from Japan.For me Abada is a better player than Maeda, and so far before he got injured Hatate looks like he struggles to do 90 mins (not another Rogic, ha ha). But I trust Ange and time will tell

  • Jimmy R says:

    Welsh took ill after training on Friday.
    I am currently laughing at Kenny McIntyre getting his knickers in a twist and trying to revise history re the pen against sevco. I suppose if you can rewrite the liquidation history, you can undo a pen.

    Have you noticed the plethora of articles on how Ange will struggle to keep his squad happy because they cannot all play every week. That will be the same authors who extolled the virtues of slippy g, Warburton and now GvB as they try / tried to build a squad with 2 quality players for every position. Apparently it is desirable at ibrox but a problem at Celtic Park. Do they have an agenda perchance?

    • Saulgoodman says:

      Suprised ange doesn’t have more faith in giokamakis cause he’s the best finisher at the club – there’s the goal shoot don’t pass!!

      • Effarr says:

        Not that long ago Old Firm R4ngers had three teams capable of winning the SPL. So they claimed anyway.

  • Roonsa says:

    I agreed with the reasoning behind your suggested changes. And for 80% of that game, maybe more, it made total sense. Lots of possession but Ross County were tough to break down and Celtic seemed to lack ideas at times. Even after the 1st goal I was worried as I still don’t trust that defence. Another cross ball and it’s 1-1, how the fuck can’t we stamp that shite out?

    I am absolutely delighted the new lad scored and Abada finished it off. So I am happy. But that wasn’t pleasant to watch. I know it’s Ross County and I know it’s away. I know they are tough for us (and the huns) but I just wonder if another approach is needed for these games. Big Giakoumakis up front to give us a more direct route to goal. Not sure, Ange obviously is the man as you said. I’d never question the big man’s tactics. That’s 2 wins out of 2.

    Mon the Hoops

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