Celtic’s ever-changing starting XI throughout the season has become a point of concern among fans.
With 36 games played across all competitions so far, the Hoops have fielded 30 different starting lineups, only repeating a lineup on three occasions, as Celtic Facts and Trivia shows on X.
This statistic underscores a significant challenge for Brendan Rodgers as he continues to search for his best starting team, something he hasn’t found just yet.
One notable period of consistency occurred when Celtic fielded the same starting XI for three consecutive matches against Kilmarnock, Hearts, and Atletico Madrid. However, such instances have been rare, highlighting Rodgers’ ongoing experimentation and adjustments due to various factors.
Injuries have undeniably played a role in disrupting Celtic’s lineup consistency. Key players such as Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor, Reo Hatate, Tomoki Iwata, Daizen Maeda, and Kyogo Furuhashi have all faced spells on the sidelines. Additionally, the Asian Cup in January and February resulted in the temporary absence of Oh Hyeon-gyu, Yang Hyun-jun, and Daizen Maeda, further complicating Rodgers’ selection decisions.
Despite these challenges, Rodgers’ approach to squad rotation and tactical adjustments reflects his attempt to navigate a demanding season. With the 3-1 victory over Motherwell showcasing that some players aren’t up for the challenge, there are indications that Rodgers is still fine-tuning his team to find the right balance and chemistry.
Looking ahead to Celtic’s upcoming match against Dundee, fans are already discussing potential changes to the starting lineup. Adam Idah and Yang Hyun-jun, who made a notable impact off the bench against Motherwell, are among those expected to start.
