MAJOR CHANCE TO IMPRESS

Rodgers is expecting Kouassi to showcase his quality in Germany

BRENDAN RODGERS’ assessment of Eboue Kouassi’s ability as a footballer was famously instantaneous. Revealing that the player had convinced him of his worth after just ten seconds, the Celtic manager was in no doubt that he had secured the services of one of the continent’s most promising midfield talents.

Yet, some 22 months after the young Ivorian joined from Krasnodar, it’s fair to say not everyone has rushed to the same judgment.

Hampered by illness and injury since completing a £3million move from the Russian side, if it hadn’t been for bad luck, the 20-year-old would certainly have had none at all.

stuck in the queue for a solitary holding midfield berth behind scott Brown, there is also no question the player has been starved of opportunities through no fault of his own as well.

Equally, however, those rare opportunities to shine have left his expectant audience somewhat bemused. Whatever distinguishing attributes Rodgers identified have remained well hidden thus far.

By the close of play in Leipzig tonight, though, a more considered opinion will have been arrived at.

Brown’s ongoing hamstring issue sees Kouassi afforded a rare start against one of Europe’s emerging forces.

given his underwhelming time at Celtic to date, most of the 4,000 visiting supporters will view his selection more in hope than expectation. By time up, though, his manager feels many will have come round to his way of thinking.

‘The boy’s not had a chance,’ said Rodgers. ‘Why? Because the scotland captain’s been amazing in my time. He is a specific player, a defensive-midfield player. And whenever Brownie is out, there is an opportunity for him to come in and play.

‘He has that quality, there is no doubt. But I try not to say to the players: “This is your only chance”.

‘You shouldn’t see it as that. You’re going to get opportunities. Don’t put yourself under any added pressure.

‘We’ve got you here because we think you’re a good player. I’ve seen it enough times. He hasn’t played enough games but that’s purely because of the form of other players, not because of him.

‘When you do get the chance, of course you want to go and show your qualities. He’s a boy for that defensive-midfield role. He’s got good agility. His positioning is good. He is quick over the ground. He is tenacious in the tackle. And he can pass the ball.

‘so he has all the profile to be a very, very good defensive-midfield player.’

At 33, Brown plainly will not go on forever. Western Melbourne are keen to offer him the chance to ease into retirement in the A-League when his contract expires next summer and it’s an option he’s unlikely to dismiss out of hand.

The fear Celtic supporters have about such a scenario is heightened due to the lack of a worthy successor. Kouassi, obviously, was the long-term plan but evidence of his suitability remains sketchy, to say the least.

given a run of games, though, Rodgers feels the Ivorian could put many racing minds at ease.

‘He’s a young player, so he wants to play,’ added Rodgers. ‘But he also knows that, domestically, there are very few times that I need two defensive-midfield players. I normally go with one and that one is the captain. so he respects that.

‘He’s not a player that is a goalscoring No8. He’s not a Tom Rogic or a Callum Mcgregor or an olivier Ntcham.

‘It’s unfortunate but he’s a player who is ready. He trains so hard every day and I’m delighted that a player like him can get an opportunity.

‘He’s a good guy who has been given a bit of unfair criticism and sometimes he has been put in when I have changed the team around a lot.’

What Rodgers would give for his prophecy to be fulfilled tonight. Already without James Forrest, neither Brown nor Leigh griffiths travelled through injury and Filip Benkovic is a doubt.

Ever the optimist, the manager believes the likes of Kouassi, Jozo simunovic and Lewis Morgan are primed to seize their chance.

‘There are a number of boys who have been on the periphery,’ he added. ‘They also know that I will change the team from time to time and if someone is injured you have that belief, which I do, to put players in the team.

‘There is Jozo simunovic. He has a game at the weekend, so he will play against Leipzig because we can’t have him not being fresh going into a big game because Dedryck Boyata is out (suspended). There are conundrums like that to consider.’

Celtic’s form on the road in Europe has also long been a source of puzzlement. In 43 European group-stage matches over 18 seasons, they have won just two.

For that to change tonight, the familiar themes that were reprised in salzburg — poor ball retention, the concession of cheap goals and profligacy — cannot rear their heads again.

‘The game in salzburg, if you look at the goals we conceded, they were disappointing,’ added Rodgers. ‘You’ve got to not make mistakes.

‘If the other team is going to beat you or score a goal against you, make it that they’ve got to really work for it.

‘I also think belief is very important. When you come away to these grounds and go up early in the game, don’t be surprised.

‘Believe that you can go and get the result. We’re a good side and we’ve shown it on a lot of occasions.

‘At a club like Celtic, the objective is always to win. But there’s a process to that, too.

‘I always try to give the players the confidence that they know their jobs and are clear on their defensive responsibilities as a team.

‘From that, we then have a base to go and play.

‘The tempo is quicker at this level. They are top players, so they move quicker and are more physical.

‘But you cope with that and go and play.

‘My team’s profile will always have technically good players, so they can cope with that.

‘It’s just having that confidence to withstand the pressure at times and then go and bring your technical and tactical game into it and cause them a problem. I look forward to that.

‘We always want to go and show our true face.’