Rodgers must bravely offload Celtic’s “incredible” star

Celtic have a chance to win their first piece of silverware in the 2024/25 campaign. today as they face Rangers at Hampden Park in the League Cup final.

The Hoops were knocked out of the competition by Kilmarnock last season and had to watch from afar as their Glasgow rivals lifted the trophy.

Brendan Rogers can make up for it by winning this time and his team will enter the match after a 0-0 draw with Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League.

The Northern Ireland coach may want to make a few changes from the starting line-up that was in Croatia, including the return of Arne Engels to the squad.

Why Arne Engels should start against Rangers

The summer signing from Augsburg could return to the lineup as his performances on the big stage have been impressive so far this season.

Engels has registered three assists in two League Cup matches, including two against Aberdeen in the semi-final, which speaks to the creative quality he can bring to the side.

He is also a Belgian international scored one goal and has provided three assists in six Champions League appearances, further proving that the young gem can step up his contribution in the final third of big games for the Hoops.

Engels could come in to replace Paul Bernard, and the 21-year-old starlet may not be the only change, as Rodgers could boldly release Adam Ide from the start ahead of Kyoga Furuhashi.

Why Adam Idah should start against Rangers

The former Leicester and Liverpool manager must bring the Irish international from the start, as he has the physical qualities to start a big match.

Kyoto lost 100% (4/4) of his duels and completed only three passes in 72 minutes against Dinamo Zagreb, while Idah won 100% (2/2) of his duels and completed three passes in 18 minutes off the bench.

The 6-foot-3 shooter can handle the ball and engage in the build-up phase more effectively than Kyog, who occasionally struggles to get into the match due to his lack of physicality.

As you can see in the table above, the Japanese striker has scored just one more goal than Aida in the Scottish Premiership, despite starting twice as many games and missing six more ‘big chances’.

An Irishman, who once was hailed as “amazing” than Rodgers, he also won a far higher percentage of his duels and aerial contests, illustrating just how much more the former Norwich man brings to the game from a physical perspective.

As such, the Celtic boss must bravely release Idaho ahead of regular starter Keogh, who could be a fantastic option off the bench if the team need a goal in the second half, given his return eight goals in 15 clashes with the Rangers.