OPINION
Celtic face their biggest game of the season to date on Thursday against Zenit St Petersburg and they should axe inconsistent attacker Charly Musonda from the side.
The Bhoys travel to the Russian side for the second leg of a Europa League Round of 32 tie and hold a 1-0 aggregate lead from their home game.
Brendan Rodgers’ side need to make an impression in Europe to show progress and can lay down a marker against experienced European side.
Celtic should stick to the same starring XI that beat Zenit at Parkhead due to their great performance and that means Musonda would have to make do with a place on the bench.
The 21-year-old playmaker started the league draw with St Johnstone at the weekend, but he should be axed as he is still yet to fully find his feet in Scottish football.
He did make a colossal impact off the bench to assist Callum McGregor’s goal against Zenit and his pace means he should once again be deployed as a substitute.
Musonda has joined Celtic on an 18-month loan from Chelsea to help develop and there is no doubt the speed merchant has colossal potential to become a real goalscoring threat.
However, Rodgers can’t afford to start him in such a crucial game in midweek and he will be far more effective running at tired legs late on.
Musonda has already divided fans in only five appearances for the Bhoys and will be keen to try find some consistency with his play.
He couldn’t yet be considered mainstay material and may have to cope with substitute roles, where he can catch the eye of Rodgers and it does show the strength of the squad.