Ange Postecoglou has made the first big decision of his Celtic managerial career with the decision to drop Greek international goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas following his error against Midtjylland last week and being questionable for a couple of goals in the 6-2 friendly defeat to West Ham United.
It doesn’t seem like there’s much of a future left for the £5.5 million signing last summer as he drops to the bench for this crunch Champions League encounter.
The teams are tied at one-goal apiece after the first leg at Celtic Park. The winner tonight will go on to the third round of qualifying and, remember, there is no away goals rule anymore.
Celtic’s substitutes are: Barkas, Doohan, Ajeti, Rogic, Bolingoli, Urhoghide, Shaw, Robertson, Forrest, Montgomery.
And the starting XI is...
. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 24: Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou greets the fans ahead of kick off during a friendly match between Celtic and West Ham United at Celtic Park on July 24, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has named his starting XI. Picture: SNS Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
. GK - Scott Bain
Once again Vasilis Barkas has been forced to give up the gloves, this time coming after his mistake in the first leg. Bain has been trusted to take his place. Photo: ] - SNS Group
. DR - Anthony Ralston
With no other senior right-back as yet at the club, the Scot takes the position almost by default. Photo: ] - SNS Group
1. GK - Scott Bain
Once again Vasilis Barkas has been forced to give up the gloves, this time coming after his mistake in the first leg. Bain has been trusted to take his place. Photo: ] - SNS Group
2. DR - Anthony Ralston
With no other senior right-back as yet at the club, the Scot takes the position almost by default. Photo: ] - SNS Group
3. DL - Greg Taylor
The Scottish international has been preferred to Boli Bolingoli throughout pre-season and keeps his place here. Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group
4. DC - Stephen Welsh
Incredibly, the 21-year-old comes into this game as the senior member of the centre-back pair. Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group