Celtic expected 4-2-3-1 v Rosenborg: Three changes in makeshift Rodgers side
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Brendan Rodgers will be forced into naming a makeshift side on Wednesday night as Celtic look to book their place in the Champions League group stages with victory over Rosenborg.
The former Liverpool boss is set to make three changes to the eleven that beat Linfield 4-0 against the Norwegian giants at Celtic Park, in what is the first of a two-legged tie.
Rodgers told the BBC that Erik Sviatchenko could join Dedryck Boyata in missing the match leaving Celtic light at centre-back, while Moussa Dembele may also be sidelined.
That would leave Celtic without two of their first-team strikers, after Leigh Griffiths picked up a one-match ban from UEFA for provoking Linfield’s supporters in the previous round.
Rodgers is expected to hand Kristoffer Ajer a start at centre-back, while Stuart Armstrong and Jonny Hayes also come in to the side, replacing Dembele, Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic.
Craig Gordon is set to retain his place between the sticks as he looks to prove Hoops fans that he still has what it takes to remain as their side’s number one, despite a number of recent shaky displays.
Sweden international Mikael Lustig and fan favourite Kieran Tierney are likely to remain on either side of defence, with 19-year-old star Ajer set to make just his second ever Celtic appearance.
He is expected to partner Jozo Simunovic in the middle of the defence, while new signing Oliver Ntcham’s impressive performance against Linfield is likely to see him given another chance.
Sitting in the middle of the park alongside captain Scott Brown, the Frenchman will look to continue his fine start in green and white by offering his services in both attack and defence.
Armstrong sat out the last game with Rogic being given the nod, but the former Dundee United ace should come in to orchestrate Celtic’s attacks.
James Forrest is set to keep his place on the right flank while Hayes is expected to be given his first start for Celtic, after making two substitute appearances against Linfield.
He fills the void left by Scott Sinclair on the left, with the former Manchester City ace the most likely man to replace both Dembele and Griffiths as Celtic’s centre-forward for the night.
In other Celtic news, this Hoops ace is eyeing a transfer to one of two destinations.
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