Brendan Rodgers has explained why he made five changes to his Celtic starting XI vs Hibs.
The Hoops faced a tough test against Red Star Belgrade in midweek as they got their Europa League campaign underway.
Celtic earned a point from that clash and Rodgers’ players put in a big effort to secure the 1-1 draw ahead of facing Hibs today.
Rodgers decided to start Anthony Ralston, Marcelo Saracchi, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Kelechi Iheanacho against the Hibees.
Dropping out of the team was Colby Donovan, Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, the injured Reo Hatate and Yang Hyun-jun.
Photo by PREDRAG MILOSAVLJEVIC/AFP via Getty ImagesRodgers explains Celtic attacking thinking vs Hibs
Rodgers was asked by the BBC before today’s Hibs encounter about why Yang wasn’t in the matchday squad, replying: “No, no, nothing just to freshen the squad.”
He continued: “Obviously, with the two guys starting, we may need another striker to come off the bench so Johnny [Kenny] comes in, Daizen [Maeda] plays and then we have another couple of wingers on there in James [Forrest] and Bali [Michel-Ange Balikwisha].
“So he [Yang] just misses out this week. Johnny comes in, he has been training well and can effect the game.”
Rodgers hopeful Reo Hatate injury isn’t long-term
Hatate did not feature at all against Hibs because he felt his hamstring tighten during the Red Star Belgrade draw on Wednesday.
Rodgers confirmed this at his press conference on Friday, before being quizzed on the Japanese maestro again today by the BBC.
He simply replied: “Reo, yeah, we hope it won’t be too long for him.”