ANGE POSTECOGLOU is pondering over the choice between impressive new Bhoy Matt O’Riley and the returning Tom Rogic before the crucial Premiership encounter with Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon.
It looks a straight battle between the £1.5million arrival from MK Dons who has been so impressive in his three games against Hearts, Dundee United and the Ibrox club in the absence of the manager’s rejuvenated playmaker who has missed the matches due to World Cup duty with Australia.
O’Riley has stepped up from English third-tier football with accomplished and remarkable ease and his performances in his trio of outings have been eye-opening while Rogic has been a born-again midfielder under the guidance of his former international gaffer.
TOUCHLINE TALK-IN…Tom Rogic receives some last-minute instructions from Ange Postecoglou as he prepares to go on as a substitute in the dramatic 2-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall in December.
Postecoglou is spoiled for choice for the middle of the park roles with Nir Bitton returning from the suspension that kept him out of the 3-0 midweek romp against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s visitors.
Callum McGregor, playing with a prorective mask, came back after missing two games while Reo Hatate took centre stage with two excellent goals while also setting up the third for Liel Abada.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Joe Hart, Scott Bain, Vasilis Barkas, Josip Juranovic, Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Christopher Jullien, Dane Murray, Greg Taylor, Liam Scales, Boli Bolingoli, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, Tom Rogic, Nir Bitton, James McCarthy, Ismaila Soro, Liel Abada, James Forrest, Filipe Jota, Mikey Johnston, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and the best in action images from Motherwell v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
