Celtic Set for Three Major Champions League Squad Changes

Celtic are set to name their Champions League squad for the knockout stages.

With three players having left Celtic over the last month—Kyogo, Stephen Welsh, Luis Palma, and Alex Valle—all drop out, with Jota, Johnny Kenny, and Jeffrey Schlupp set to be added before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

2nd February 2025; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Jota Joao Pedro Neves Filipe of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores in the 94th minute to make it 3-1 to Celtic

However, with Welsh out, Celtic can only add three players to the knockout squad, with Dane Murray instead being listed as a B-list player, meaning he could yet play a part for the Hoops without counting as an addition.

Most supporters would have hoped that it would be a new signing replacing Kyogo in the Champions League knockout squad, but it is instead Johnny Kenny, with the Irish striker set to be given a huge opportunity against Bayern Munich over two legs.

Kenny may not start each game, but could play a part off the bench. For a player who was playing in the Conference League for Shamrock Rovers during the first six months of the season, this is a big step up.

Jeffrey Schlupp, who made his Celtic debut last night against Dundee at Celtic Park, could play a vital role for Celtic, with Alex Valle often coming off the bench in European games to add a different dimension at left-back. With Schlupp’s physicality and pace, it is a different option for Brendan Rodgers to have.

Jota for Luis Palma is arguably the biggest positive change in the Champions League squad, with the superstar from Portugal marking his second Celtic Park debut last night with a wonderful assist for Daizen Maeda’s first goal.

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