OPINION
Celtic might well be just a couple of games into their new season but they are already facing the prospect of what could be a season-defining clash against AEK Athens.
The Hoops are set to face off against the Greek champions in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying tie, with the match poised on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park last week.
It is a crucial tie for the Bhoys, who will be hoping to improve on their European performances of recent seasons after two years of dominating domestically, but know that they need to score in Greece to have any chance of making it a step closer to the group stages.
As such, the Daily Record‘s report that star striker Moussa Dembele has travelled with the squad after his injury layoff should come as a major boost to the first team – but Rodgers must avoid the temptation to throw him back into the fray at the risk of aggravating his issue.
The Frenchman has been out of action with a hamstring problem – a constant thorn in the side of the youngster during his career – and it is starting to look as though he might well be plagued for the rest of his playing time.
It means that the issue must be managed sensibly, and putting him into a pressure cooker of a clash in Athens is not going to help his cause – even if it means boosting the Hoops’ chances of success.
It is up to Rodgers to determine whether Dembele is fit enough to take part but quite frankly it is not a gamble he or the player should be willing to take – it could completely derail his recovery and leave him out for longer.
The likes of Odsonne Edouard should have enough in the tank to lead the line and if he and his team mates get knocked out here, then there is little Dembele could do about it.