Rodgers must avoid repeating selection blunder in Celtic XI for Rangers clash
COMMENT
When Celtic and Rangers drew 0-0 in December, one of the major talking points was Brendan Rodgers’ baffling decision to leave one of the Hoops’ form players on the bench.
Olivier Ntcham, who had been in an excellent run of form, didn’t start the game, with his place taken by Stuart Armstrong.
Armstrong, who as we now know was carrying a hernia injury, had an ineffectual game as the Gers took control of the midfield in the second-half.
It wasn’t until the introduction of Ntcham in the 72nd minute that the Hoops managed to get a foothold in the midfield, and they were able to see the game out for the draw.
The 22-year-old summer signing from Manchester City had formed a blossoming midfield partnership with Scott Brown in the weeks prior to the derby, which made it all the more stranger that the player was dropped.
Hopefully the Hoops boss will have learned his lesson from this error in time for Sunday’s derby at Ibrox, where Ntcham must start.
The game will be won and lost in the midfield battle, and Ntcham’s dig and box to box running will be vital if the Bhoys are to get the three points which will all but clinch the league title.
Rodgers has made very few mistakes in his time at Celtic, but the omission of Ntcham in December’s Old Firm clash was certainly one, and it is one which shouldn’t be repeated.
In other Celtic news, Dermot Gallagher has given his verdict on controversial penalty awarded to the Hoops
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