OPINION
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers would be wise to change his formation slightly as his team attempts to reverse a two goal deficit in their Europa League clash against Valencia on Thursday.
The Northern Irishman went with a 4-2-3-1 with Olvier Burke as a false nine in the first leg, and stuck with the same formation against Kilmarnock on Sunday, albeit with Odsonne Edouard up front.
However, given the circumstances of the tie, it would be a good idea for him to switch to a more attacking 4-2-2-2 formation. The change would see Scott Sinclair and Ryan Christie drop to the bench, with Burke and Timothy Weah replacing them.
Rodgers knows his team needs to go for it after losing the first leg 2-0 at Parkhead. This change could backfire but it also might be their only chance of pulling off an upset.
Scott Bain has really impressed in recent times and looks to be winning his battle with Craig Gordon for the number one shirt. He must continue on Thursday. Meanwhile, Jonny Hayes deserves to start at left back after Emilio Izaguirre was given the run around by the Spanish giants last week.
Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer are the only real options available to Rodgers at centre back at the moment and as such they will likely start again here. Jeremy Toljan looked slightly suspect against Valencia last week but should still keep his place ahead of Mikael Lustig.
The story in central midfield is similar to the one at centre back, and because of that Scott Brown and Callum McGregor can expect to start in important defensive roles.
Further forward, James Forrest and Burke should start out wide. Sinclair and Christie have scored a lot of goals this campaign, but there’s something of the flat track bully about them. Rodgers is better off gambling with the pace and energy of Forrest and Burke.
Up front, Weah and Edouard present a fearsome combination. There’s no point Rodgers going with a false nine or a lone striker, he needs goals. Weah and Edouard should be able to provide them.
