Five changes in Rodgers 4-2-3-1: This Celtic XI can secure stunning upset against Bayern
By James Black
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will need to make five changes to his starting XI to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night if he wants to put out his strongest side.
Prolific striker Moussa Dembele, Craig Gordon, Jozo Simunovic, Mikael Lustig and captain Scott Brown should return to the side with Leigh Griffiths, Dorus de Vries, Nir Bitton, Christian Gamboa and Kouassi Eboue making way in the Hoops’ 4-2-3-1.
The Scottish champions travel to the Allianz Arena after a resounding 3-0 win away to Anderlecht on Matchday 2 and will be hoping to sneak something against Bayern.
This XI selected by Football Insider can secure a stunning upset.
Craig Gordon is expected to retake his place in goal after being replaced by de Vries for the 1-0 win over Dundee.
Ahead of Gordon, Mikael Lustig and Jozo Simunovic should return to the side to join Dedryck Boyata and Kieran Tierney in the Hoops’ back-four.
Celtic’s defence will likely face a much busier 90 minutes than they would domestically so Rodgers will rely on his tried-and-tested defence.
Frenchman Olivier Ntcham is likely to be partnered by the fit-again Scott Brown in central midfield with the captain winning his fitness battle after picking up an injury against Anderlecht.
Scott Sinclair and Patrick Roberts will almost certainly take up their usual spots on the wings with Callum McGregor pipping Tom Rogic to the number 10 spot.
With both Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele both fit, Brendan Rodgers will be forced to make a decision over which striker will lead the line.
Dembele hasn’t really had much of an opportunity to show what he can do this season and a big performance against the Germans would be the ideal way for Dembele to show that he is ready to be starting games regularly again.
In other Celtic news, this Bayern Munich star recalls his previous painful meeting against the Hoops.
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