Sport nationThere is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Celtic Football Club at the moment. With transfer speculation surrounding two of their key players, Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi, fans are left wondering what the future holds for their team. In this article, we will explore the best starting lineup for Celtic without these two players and discuss the implications of their potential departure.
Firstly, let’s look at the goalkeeper position. Kasper Schmeichel is undoubtedly Brendan Rodgers’ preferred choice between the sticks. The veteran goalkeeper has been an impressive force since joining on a free transfer this summer, and his experience and leadership would be invaluable in the absence of O’Riley and Furuhashi.
In front of Schmeichel, the defense would consist of Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor at full-back, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales slotting into central defense. Some might argue that Maik Nawrocki deserves a team run, but Rodgers has yet to give the Polish center-back any competitive action this term. Tomoki Iwata is another option, but Carter-Vickers and Scales offer a more solid partnership at this point.
Moving on to midfield, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Paulo Bernardo would provide a fine balance. McGregor is a seasoned pro and a natural leader, while Hatate has been impressive since joining from Kawasaki Frontale. Bernardo, a Portugal Under-21 international, is set to be an important cog in Rodgers’ machinery, especially if O’Riley leaves.
On the wings, Daizen Maeda would come in without hesitation on the left flank. James Forrest has been a suave operator over the last few months, evading the injuries that have troubled him throughout the past couple of years. While Nicolas Kuhn is a talented player, Forrest’s past and present exploits for the club give him the edge.
Finally, Adam Idah would lead the line as the outright striker. With Furuhashi struggling with an ongoing shoulder issue, Idah is the best option available to fill the void.
This lineup offers a good balance and strength in depth, but it’s hard to ignore the impact that O’Riley and Furuhashi have on the team. O’Riley’s departure would leave a gaping hole in midfield, while Furuhashi’s absence would deprive Celtic of their star striker.
The transfer speculation surrounding these two players has created uncertainty for Celtic, but the team must adapt and find a way to move forward. Rodgers has made it clear that he wants two midfielders if O’Riley leaves, but there is still a lot of work to be done with just under two weeks of the transfer window to go.
In conclusion, while the potential departure of O’Riley and Furuhashi is a blow to Celtic, the team has the strength in depth to adapt and move forward. The lineup suggested above offers a good balance and would be competitive in the Scottish Premiership. However, the team’s success depends on their ability to retain their star players and strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline.
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