External factor might effect Celtic plans vs Kilmarnock

Sunday’s league game away at Kilmarnock may turn out to be a rare example where external factors mean that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is made to change his approach and alter his team selection. The Australian tends to select his starting XI and bench based on the availability of key players in his squad and how they are performing.

He doesn’t usually make many changes based on the opposition or factors around a specific game. The Celtic boss though could have to make at least one if not more line up decisions for this weekend based on the surface they’ll be playing on.

Kilmarnock’s artificial surface has been a point of discussion in the past as well. At times it has caused worries about aggravating injuries being carried by players.

Reo Hatate will not be risked on the difficult Kilmarnock pitch. He will likely be given another week to recover and hopefully be available for the game against Motherwell at home the following Saturday.

External factor might effect Celtic plans vs Kilmarnock

As reported by Glasgow Live, in Friday’s training session there was no sign of Hatate. James McCarthy was back in training though. But it would be very unlikely that he too would make any sort of a return at Kilmarnock, pitch or otherwise.

With Greg Taylor though believed to be carrying an injury and being limited to one game a week, there has to be a strong possibility of a switch at left-back. Alexandro Bernabei is fit and well and had a run out in the Glasgow Derby.

It’s disappointing when a pitch affects team selection. It is also disappointing when it affects the way the game is played and the quality of performance. Let’s hope that the Hoops are able to navigate the test presented by Kilmarnock, who are trying to stay up in the Premiership.