Another Champions League night, another chance for Celtic, and Brendan Rodgers, to try and get that elusive three points they need to keep their European hopes alive.
The Celtic manager knows that anything less than a win officially ends their hopes of qualifying for the last 16. However, a draw or a win means that Europe after Christmas still remains a possibility.
But to do that, Celtic will need to have all their players at the top of their game and those with experience of these big nights will be crucial if the Hoops are to take anything home from Rome.
And that means difficult, and some could say unpopular, decisions must be made regarding Celtic’s team selection tonight.
Why James Forrest must start for Celtic vs Lazio tonight
In some ways, Brendan Rodgers‘ hand is kind of forced to start James Forrest anyway due to the injury to Daizen Maeda and the suspension of Luis Palma.
However, the Celtic manager does have other options available to him other than the ‘wonderful‘ 32-year-old.
Marco Tilio could play on that right-hand side and, if fit, Hyunjun Yang could take up the left flank as well as Mikey Johnston. But with the young Australian having just 45 minutes of first-team football under his belt and not fully up to speed, Rodgers shouldn’t risk it throwing him in.
A mistake was made earlier in the Champions League campaign where the Hoops gaffer put Cameron Carter-Vickers in against Lazio at Celtic Park.
In his first game returning from injury, the US defender slipped and allowed Pedro in to score the last-minute winner. Celtic can ill afford to take such a Champions League gamble tonight.
That’s why Forrest will be crucial. Over his career at Celtic, the winger has played in 24 group-stage games against some of the best defenders in Europe. And that’s not to mention the 43 times he has played in qualifying games to get Celtic into those very same group stages. [Transfermarkt]
His experience of these kinds of games will help provide an outball as Lazio are likely to come at Celtic as they look to grab the win to guarantee their progression into the last 16.
I know many Celtic supporters doubt his current ability due to his age but there is no doubt that when called upon, Forrest rarely lets the team down.
Celtic need at least a point tonight to keep the European dream alive, if Forrest plays, he could be vital to helping achieve that and turn Matchday 6 against Feyenoord into a very special night indeed.
In other news, ‘Very technical’… Lazio winger Pedro says he’s a big admirer of 30-year-old Celtic player