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

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.