No plans to chop and change during hectic period
CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers will avoid making too many changes to the Parkhead squad as they prepare for a gruelling run of games between now and the New Year.
Rodgers takes his side to Hamilton this afternoon for a lunchtime meeting against Hamilton Accies before then preparing for Thursday evening’s Europa league game against Rosenborg – followed by the Betfred League Cup final just three days later.
And it will be the same spine that will run through the team for the intense period that looms.
“We have a busy period,” said Rodgers. “We have 11 games between now and the end of December but it’s what the players want. They’re all full of confidence and they’ve been playing really well over this last seven-week block and we’ll look to continue that this weekend.
“I’ll have to bring players in and out but obviously without making too many changes. That’s where our two defeats came earlier in the season, making too many changes to try and compensate for big games.
“The players are now up to speed with the rhythm. We’ll have to look at subtle changes but there won’t be too many. What’s important is, collectively, it’s been an incredible performance from these players over the last two-and-ahalf years.”
Celtic have not fared well so far this term on plastic; they lost to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in September and then drew with Livingston in the game that came immediately before the international break.
Aside from the surface, though, Rodgers, believes that Hamilton will be stuffy opponents.
“It’s always tough game against Hamilton,” he said. “Martin and his players will have been disappointed with the last three results so I’m sure the break will have come at a nice time for them. They’ve always been a team that we have to work very hard to overcome. We’ll expect a tough game off the back of the international break,
“The plastic pitch always comes into my thinking with some players, and the risk of injury that you can’t play. We need to look at the availability.”
Olivier Ntcham could be back in contention for a start after returning to full fitness. The midfielder had returned to the French national football centre, Clairfontaine, in order to receive treatment on a muscle injury that presented itself during the League Cup semi-final win over Hearts last month.
Fresh on the back of signing a new deal with the club Ntcham could play a part against Accies, although the game is expected to come too soon for captain Scott Brown and Nir Bitton.
The latter has resumed training after a lengthy lay-off but his imminent return to action has excited Rodgers.
“It’s brilliant news for us in Nir Bitton,” said Rodgers. “He’s been out for a long time but has come back into training this week and it’s like a new player in having him back.
“We have Jozo, and young Mikey Johnston still on the outside and Olivier Ntcham is back training and will be available for the squad at the weekend.”
‘‘ We’ll have to look at subtle changes but there won’t be many