Bookings, injuries, tactics, fitness. Tomorrow night’s about everything apart from the result

I was away last week and missed the Rennes game, so I have that ‘Can’t wait to see Celtic in action’ buzz right now.  The outcome of the tie was decided in the first leg when Scott Sinclair added Celtic’s third goal, but the game is important preparation for the stiffer challenges ahead.  Boli Mbombo and Christopher Jullien need every possible minute on the field to become part of a solid defensive structure.  Everyone in the squad has fitness work to do, and remember, this is Neil Lennon’s first proper chance to work with the players on new tactics.

It was at this stage last year that Jozo Simunovic picked up a red card suspension, despite Celtic winning the away first leg 0-3.  It made no difference in the end, but there is no point making life complicated; let’s not pick up unnecessary bookings that can count against us later in the competition.  I know it would be asking too much to hope for 90 minutes without injury…