We have been banging the drum about how important it is Celtic finish top of the Europa league group, especially when we’re so close to managing it.
Neil Lennon has the unenviable task of prioritising certain games and with the team having some pivotal SPFL ties coming up along with a Cup final as well as the Europa League games – it’s simply not possible to play the same players over and over again.
The Celtic boss appears to be pragmatic when it comes to the Europa League and he’s not just hinted but outright told the Celtic View he will use players who he deems need European experience against Rennes at home and Cluj away.
Meaning, there will be some bhoys who come in who aren’t in the squad on a weekly basis to see what they’re made of.
It’s not a bad thing by any means because you can give Elyounoussi the night off on the bench and bring a fit Mikey Johnston into the side for example.
Greg Taylor coming in for Hayes or Bolingoli also has it’s advantages but it is a risk to our top spot. Celtic fans want to see distance between the top two in the league and the first trophy of the season won – and finishing first in the Europa League, while important, isn’t the primary focus.
“It would be great to win the group and we’ll try to finish with as many points as possible. But with the huge amount of games we have between now and the break, it’s imperative that we use the squad.”
“It’s important to give players game-time at that level so the players who haven’t had a chance to play will maybe get the opportunity to play in some of these games.”
