OPINION
Brendan Rodgers must axe Oliver Burke and start Odsonne Edouard up front if he wants to name his best possible Celtic side for the Europa League clash against Valencia on Thursday night.
Burke has played well since joining on loan from West Brom in January, but he is not a centre-forward and Edouard is more likely to give the Spanish side’s defence a hard time when they travel to Celtic Park this week.
Craig Gordon’s experience also means that he should return to the side for Scott Bain and if Emilio Izaguirre is fit after missing the win against St Johnstone on Sunday, he must return to the left-back position to replace Jonny Hayes.
Gordon must start behind a back-four of Jeremy Toljan, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Izaguirre. With Celtic’s defence hampered by injury, there is little else that Rodgers can pick without weakening his chances of a win in the round of 32 showdown.
Scott Brown and Callum McGregor are no-brainers to start in the midfield with Ryan Christie in the attacking central role, flanked by Scott Sinclair and James Forrest on the wings.
Edouard deserves a place back in the starting line-up and there is no better game than this one for him to try and make his mark.
Valencia have struggled in La Liga this season and the young Frenchman would be the key to causing a shock result in the favour of the Hoops if Rodgers makes these three changes.