Celtic conceded seven last time out in the Champions League, and things don’t get easier with rampant Manchester City visiting Celtic Park on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
The Hoops already have ground to make up in Group C after being demolished in Barcelona on matchday one. Unfortunately, City will arrive in Glasgow in red-hot form, having won their fist six Premier League matches under former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard has pulled off a neat trick so far, making the Citizens less reliant on star striker Sergio Aguero. That’s not to say the Argentinian isn’t still rattling in the goals. In fact, he’s already scored eight times in Premier League and Champions League action, including a hat-trick against Borussia Monchengladbach in City’s first Group C match.
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Yet, City are also getting goals aplenty from supporting acts Raheem Sterling, Nolito and Kevin De Bruyne. The latter has been brilliant, but he’s out with a hamstring problem. Guardiola’s next challenge will be coping without his Belgian maestro.
One solution might involve giving 20-year-old German forward Leroy Sane more playing time. Signed from Schalke 04 for £37 million in the summer, Sane has only shown brief glimpses of his undoubted talent and potential. Still, he boasts the pace, trickery and eye for goal to be a big hit for the Manchester club.
Of course, Celtic aren’t without quality in attack. In particular, manager Brendan Rodgers is helping turn Moussa Dembele into a star. The 19-year-old ex-Fulham striker is in prolific form, scoring twice during the recent 6-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
Yet, Dembele isn’t the only Celtic attacker to watch. Not when versatile winger Scott Sinclair and classy playmaker Tom Rogic are also influential figures.
Date: Wednesday, September 28
Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Stadium: Celtic Park
TV Info: Fox Sports 2
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2GO
Like Guardiola, Rodgers wants his team to keep the ball on the deck and pass with attacking intent. He won’t be shy about sticking to the philosophy, even against a side as accomplished in possession and with as many match-winners up top as City.