Key men to be rested for Betis visit

CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou has confirmed he will ring the changes for Thursday’s final Europa League fixture against Real Betis, handing some of his key players a much-needed rest.

The Parkhead side are in Premiership action at Dundee United today and Postecoglou will ask the team to dig out another high-energy performance as a packed December schedule kicks in.

Celtic’s need to remain on the coat-tails of league leaders Rangers will push the manager into naming his strongest team for Tannadice, but Europe offers an opportunity for respite.

With Betis qualified for the next stage as runners-up to Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic guaranteed third spot and a parachute into a Europa Conference League play-off, there is little riding on the last remaining Group G fixture.

Jota, Stephen Welsh and Tony Ralston are all set to miss out today through injury and Postecoglou hopes to rest more for the visit of Betis, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull all candidates for a breather.

‘We will see how things go at Tannadice but logically we will take that approach,’ he said. ‘It’s still a game we want to win and perform well in.

‘Thursday is a chance to get 90 minutes into some of the guys who have not played a lot.’

Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with moves for no fewer than three Japanese stars next month.

Postecoglou’s former Yokohoma Marinos forward Daizen Maeda was the first name to emerge, with full-back Reo Hatate of Kawasaki also in the frame. Reports in Japan claim that Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi is also a target.