4 talking points prior to Borussia Monchengladbach v Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with a fan at Glasgow Airport. Picture: SNS

Here, Craig Forbes looks at the talking points ahead of the game.

FORM

Since losing 2-0 to the German side a fortnight ago, Celtic have played three and won three, without conceding a goal. The 1-0 win at Aberdeen on Saturday took the Hoops nine points clear of Rangers at the top with a game in hand. Brendan Rodgers’ side could hardly be more confident but they will need to be at their best. Gladbach, meanwhile, have failed to win in their two Bundesliga fixtures since last facing Celtic, including this weekend’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. They managed to win in the German Cup, though it did come against second tier side Stuttgart.

ALL OR NOTHING AGAINST BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH

Despite being imperious in Scottish football, Celtic have found the European arena more difficult. The Scottish champions sit bottom of Group C with one point from a possible nine. With games against Barcelona at Celtic Park and Manchester City at the Etihad still to come, the Hoops really have to beat Borussia Monchengladbach to have any chance of European football after Christmas. Although, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have to attack to do that. Gladbach need a victory to keep their hopes of finishing in the top two alive. With the German hosts having struggled for most of this season, frustrating the home crowd, which may then seep down to the players, could be crucial for Celtic.

COPING WITH THE LOSS OF KIERAN TIERNEY

The 19-year-old left-back has been ruled out for two months with ankle ligament damage. Tierney has been a mainstay of the team with his form bringing him Scotland recognition. However, Rodgers has Honduras international Emilio Izaguirre to call upon and he slotted into the team against Ross County and Aberdeen with ease. We wait to see whether this translates to the continent. Izaguirre has starred in Europe before, but at 30 years old, and having sat on the bench for the entirety of this year’s campaign, this will be a new kind of challenge.

WHO STARTS IN CENTRE OF DEFENCE

Centre backs Kolo Toure and Jozo Simunovic did not make the journey which leaves Rodgers with a dilemma with regards who to put in beside Erik Sviatchenko. Mikael Lustig played there last week against Ross County when the Hoops boss made eight changes to his side. The Sweden right-back could be asked again although 21-year-old Irishman Eoghan O’Connell, who came on as a substitute in the 7-0 defeat by Barcelona at the Nou Camp, could be called into action. Cristian Gamboa would likely be asked to start at right-back if Lustig is drafted into the centre. The Costa Rican is still to get up to speed in a Celtic jersey and looked unsure defensively in the recent win over Ross County.

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