BRENDAN RODGERS may be forced to remove Liam Scales from his central defensive role to take over the problem left-back slot against Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon.
Celtic will, of course, be without the injured Greg Taylor who had been an ever-present before missing the 1-0 victory over Ross County at Parkhead last weekend.
Alexandro Bernabei was introduced for his first start of the campaign, but the £3.75 million buy from Argentinian top-flight side Lanus in the summer of 2022, failed to convince as the champions toiled in the last 15 minutes against the Highlanders.
ON THE BALL…Maik Nawrocki may switch to the left against Aberdeen.
That may force Rodgers into a rethink of his back-four with Cameron Carter-Vickers already ruled out for at least the next three weeks.
Maik Nawrocki, who replaced the USA World Cup defender in the 64th minute against the Dingwall outfit, is likely to continue at the heart of the rearguard with Gustaf Lagerbielke, who came close to joing Lecce on loan during the week, partnering him on the left.
Alternatively, two-footed Nawrocki could shift over to accommodate Stephen Welsh on the right with Scales in the No.3 slot.
Rodgers will also be pondering over game-time for January recruits winger Nicolas Kuhn, a second-half substitute against County, and striker Adam Idah who joined on loan from Norwich City on deadline day.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart, Scott Bain, BenjI Siegrist;
DEFENDERS
Alistair Johnston, Anthony Ralston, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Liam Scales, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Alexandro Bernabei;
MIDFIELDERS
Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Odin Holm;
FORWARDS
Nicolas Kuhn, Liel Abada, James Forrest, Rocco Vata, Kyogo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Luis Palma.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Aberdeen v Celtic at Pittodrie this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
