3 Celtic players Rodgers must drop ahead of their Champions League clash

With nine wins from their opening 10 league games, including one draw, an unbeaten Celtic sit pretty on top of the Scottish Premiership table, already nine points clear of second-placed rivals Rangers.

However, in Europe, the Bhoys’ journey has been far from perfect, despite holding Premier League outfit Manchester City to a thrilling 3-3 encounter at Celtic Park back in September.

In-form Celtic striker, Moussa Dembele – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

That stalemate is Brendan Rodgers’ side’s only point in Group C of the Champions League so far this term, having lost 7-0 and 2-0 to Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively.

Next up for Celtic, the reverse fixture against Bundesliga side Monchengladbach, which is now more or less a must-win fixture for the visitors.

With the resulting games against Barcelona and Man City to come, Rodger’s men need to bounce back and secure all three points tonight in Germany.

So, bearing that in mind, here are THREE players manager Rodgers must drop for Celtic to claim an all-important victory over Monchengladbach…

Jozo Simunovic

Bhoys boss, Rodgers – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Absent from tonight’s clash is centre-half Simunovic, who has stayed behind in Glasgow to focus on his fitness, despite coming through the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 league win at Aberdeen.

He is joined by fellow defender Kolo Toure, who was at fault for both of Monchengladbach’s goals in the reverse fixture.

Mikael Lustig

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

The Swedish full-back also featured against Aberdeen, for the majority of the game (80 minutes), before being replaced by Cristian Gamboa.

And it is the Costa Rican star, formerly of Premier League side West Brom, that is set to take back the right-back slot.

Some believe Lustig will therefore replace Simunovic in the heart of Celtic’s defence, but Rodgers may opt for a change of formation considering his side need all three points at Borussia-Park.

James Forrest

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

And lastly, perhaps the exciting prospect of Patrick Roberts deserves a chance to try and run riot against the Bundesliga opposition, with Forrest the most likely to make way.

The 25-year-old has failed to find the back of the net in his last seven appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys, and with Celtic desperate for goals tonight, Rodgers could look at Manchester City loanee Roberts, alongside in-form striker Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, as the away side’s most threatening players – especially with Leigh Griffiths taken ill.

Roberts, who came on for the Scotland international at Aberdeen on Saturday, could earn a recall after netting in Celtic’s 4-0 league win over Ross County last week.