Mainstays axed in Rodgers overhaul: Celtic best possible XI v Partick

Tue 19 December 2017 18:00, UK

COMMENT

Celtic return to action against Partick Thistle on Wednesday night hoping to return to winning ways after the embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Hearts on Sunday but to do so Brendan Rodgers must make five brutal changes to his side.

Just as important as the end of the record is the fact that the Hoops are only two points clear of Aberdeen in the title race ahead of the teams meeting at Celtic Park this Saturday, therefore it’s vital that the Bhoys win this game in hand to extend their lead to five points.

To get this win, Rodgers should axe a series of mainstays from his first-team with Craig Gordon, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata, Scott Sinclair and Callum McGregor all being left out after awful performances at Hearts.

Gordon’s form has been very poor recently, Dorus de Vries is long overdue a game in the side after his man of the match performance against Dundee earlier in the.season.

The centre-back duo of Simunovic and Boyata were awful against Aberdeen, the pairing deserve to e benched and replaced by Kristoffer Ajer and Nir Bitton.

Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lusitg should keep their spots at full-back.

Further up the park, this seems like the type of game Hayes was signed for, and he should come in for Scott Sinclair, who despite what the stats suggest isn’t having his best season.