Matchday 5 in the Champions League and Celtic prepare to face Lazio in Rome where a loss will officially end their participation in Europe’s top competition.
However, a draw or a win will keep Europe after Christmas a possibility and if he can pull it off, Brendan Rodgers will be hailed a hero by every Celtic fan.
However, the performance against Motherwell on Saturday didn’t look good and that is why I think the Celtic boss with ring in the changes as he looks to get a result in Rome tonight.
David Turnbull will start for Celtic vs Lazio
The 24-year-old has been the subject of much debate over the last few months. With his contract running down, there are doubts about whether or not he will put pen to paper as he drops in and out of the Celtic team.
However, what can’t be doubted is that he is one of Celtic’s main goal threats. And the Hoops will need at least one if they are to get a result against Lazio tonight.
Turnbull is, unbelievably, Celtic’s top goalscorer this season with seven in eleven appearances. His ability to hit the target from outside the box could be important tonight as Celtic will probably be limited in the amount of chances they get.
Yes, many fans doubt his creativity and his dynamism has been called into question but no one can deny that when Celtic need a goal, Turnbull has provided on more than one occasion this season.
James Forrest starts as Odin Thiago Holm drops out for Celtic vs Lazio
I have already detailed why I believe Forrest will start tonight in a piece I wrote earlier this morning. The 32-year-old’s Champions League experience will be crucial for Brendan Rodgers tonight.
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However, for Odin Thiago Holm, he needs to sit this one out. The 20-year-old’s performance against Motherwell has shown that maybe he isn’t in the right place to be starting such an important game for Celtic.
There is no doubt that, off the bench, Holm provides an ‘excellent‘ option for closing the game down but as I said above, Celtic need a goal threat and that is why David Turnbull will start ahead of him tonight.
Domestically, prior to the Motherwell game, Holm has been very good for Celtic. Against St Mirren, his passing was superb as he helped set up a late winner.
And against Rangers in the 1-0 win at Ibrox, the young Norwegian put in a great performance to keep Michael Beale’s men at bay.
The key thing about both these games is that both performances were off the bench and that is where I think Holm could be at his strongest for Celtic tonight.
Anthony Ralston will also drop out as Alistair Johnston resumes his familiar position in the right-back role.
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