The Sturm Graz game has turned out to be a lot more important than anybody could have predicted when the schedule was announced. Firstly, Celtic are yet to win their first game in the Europa League this season. They will not be looking to prolong that winless run for any longer. But even more importantly, this team needs to bounceback from the defeat at the hands of Dundee FC at the weekend.
To be very honest, that might have been the most disheartening result that the club have ever had under the management of Brendan Rodgers. And in the aftermath, a good portion of fans seem to have given up on the manager.
A lot of people would be content to see him depart at the end of his contract. Some even believe that things cannot continue like this season and he should be shown the exit door quickly.
Let's see what the future holds for Rodgers. For now, the focus has to be on the Europa League game against Sturm Graz. But there is some bad news for Celtic heading into that one as well, and there seems to be no positivity around the club at the moment.
Celtic blow confirmed for upcoming Sturm Graz game
It looks like Celtic are set to be without Daizen Maeda for the game, as he is dealing with a hamstring injury at the moment. As reported by CeltsAreHere, Rodgers said:
"Daizen’s not available, no. Alistair Johnston should be okay, hopefully all being well, so that’s great news for us."
Well, at least Johnston's update is a positive. That being said, most of Celtic's problems at the moment lie going forward.
Maeda is one of the few who seems to be capable of making a difference in the final third of the pitch, even though he has been in terrible form this season. So, his injury does come as a blow and one has to wonder where the goals will come from.