OPINION
After two years of complete and utter domination in Scotland Celtic are once again looking to make it a third successive treble winning campaign – Sunday’s clash against St Johnstone the latest hurdle in their pursuit of glory.
For the third time in four games the Hoops play the Saints – this time in the Scottish Cup fifth round – and will be looking to continue their winning streak after two consecutive 2-0 wins over their rivals.
The cup has often proven a chance for manager Brendan Rodgers to rest his star men and give those on the fringes of the first team a run out, while also giving any senior stars who might be lacking in fitness the chance to get some valuable minutes under their belt.
Injuries have plagued Celtic this season but as reported by the Daily Record, the Hoops are on their way to welcoming back the likes of Kieran Tierney, Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham to first team training after their respective absences.
Some might see this as the perfect opportunity to bring them back into the fray but with a Europa League clash against Valencia next up, Rodgers has to prioritise – and it should not be the domestic cup.
Celtic can only make progress on the European stage – winning trophies in Scotland means very little any more – and as such the manager has to take a gamble and leave his big names out of Sunday’s showdown at Parkhead.
There should be no Tierney, no Edouard and no Ntcham for starters, while Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, Dedryck Boyata and Oliver Burke should all find themselves swapped out in a much-changes line up.
The likes of Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Nir Bitton and Mikey Johnston should definitely be handed a shot at sinking St Johnstone in what would be a risk over picking up another treble.
With European glory also on the line, the returning stars must see hopes of an immediate return dashed – there are bigger fish to fry for Celtic.