Celtic players who could be given a chance v Real Betis

We’ve known for a while now that Celtic’s Europa League tie with Real Betis on Thursday will be of no significance to either side. The visitors are through to the knockout stages of the Europa League whereas the hosts, Celtic, will drop down the Europa Conference League after being guaranteed a third placed finish in Group G. The other two teams who make up the group, Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencvaros, know they will finish top and bottom of the section respectively going into the final round of fixtures. 

Because the Bhoys’ clash with Real Betis on Thursday is a dead rubber combined with the fact Celtic are in the midst of a gruelling fixture schedule, it is expected several first team stars will be rested. And rightly so, risking the fitness of key players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor would be ludicrous with a cup final and heavily significant league matches lying ahead. 

As mentioned, it is anticipated that a few fringe players may get the opportunity to impress for Celtic on Thursday evening and in this article, I’ve compiled five of those who may get the chance to do so. 

Liam Scales 

After his maiden Celtic goal at the weekend, you would have fully expected to see Liam Scales’ name in this article. 

The Irishman grabbed his chance from the bench on Sunday with two hands, culturally slotting the ball into the bottom left corner from outside the box. Scales has only been limited to substitute appearances in his time at Celtic so far, playing a total of sixty minutes however I fully expect this amount to increase on Thursday evening with Scales probably the most likely candidate to start that I’ll speak about today. 

The twenty three year old will either presumably line up at left back or centre back with the Ireland International being able to fill in at both positions competently. 

Tobi Oluwayemi 

Joe Hart has been a stick on in goal for Celtic this season. The Englishman has kept a total of twelve clean sheets however I believe Hart could be in line for a well deserved rest on Thursday night. 

Celtic have a number of promising goalkeepers coming through the ranks at the minute however it is Tobi Oluwayemi who looks to be catching the eye of manager Ange Postecoglou. 

Oluwayemi was signed by Celtic from Tottenham in 2019 and has been on the bench twice already in the Europa League group stage for Celtic this season and has also made several appearances for Celtic’s B team in the Lowland league. As well as this, the eighteen year old is also a current England under nineteen International. 

It would be great to see Oluwayemi be handed his senior debut on Thursday evening. It is a rarity to see young goalkeepers be given the chance especially on a stage such as the Europa League. 

Albian Ajeti 

I predict Kyogo Furuhashi will be rested on Thursday evening and unless someone like Joey Dawson or Rocco Vata is given a highly unexpected start, it will be Albian Ajeti who takes up the number nine role in attack.  

The Swiss has actually already started, and scored, in the Europa League this season against Real Betis on match day one. Ajeti’s goals per minute ratio this season, when starting, stands at a goal every one hundred and forty minutes. 

Admittedly though, when Celtic have a fully fit squad Ajeti is third in line to the striker spot and he may even find himself further down the pecking order with the reported arrival of Daizen Maeda to Celtic in January. Therefore, the match against Real Betis on Thursday could be one of the last we see Albian Ajeti lead the line in unless he conjures up something of the unforeseen.  

Owen Moffat 

You’ll probably recall Owen Moffat’s name from the beginning of the Ange Postecoglou era. The nineteen year old was a regular fixture in Celtic’s pre season training camp in Wales, even scoring against Sheffield Wednesday. 

Since then, Moffat has gone on to net eleven times for Celtic’s B team this campaign. The attacker can operate on either flank as well as in behind the striker. 

At nineteen, it looks like Owen Moffat is surpassing the level of Lowland league football. Ange Postecoglou has already hinted at some loan departures in January however it would be great to see Moffat be given an opening in the first team. 

Liam Shaw 

Celtic’s final signing prior to Ange Postecoglou’s arrival was Liam Shaw. It was seen as a low risk-high reward move that cost the Hoops a minimal development fee. 

However, it is fair to say the rewards from this transfer have been scarce with Shaw failing to register any senior appearances for Celtic outside of friendlies. 

In pre season, the twenty year old looked a physical, driven presence in midfield. However, Shaw has somewhat stagnated in the last six months and is in the awkward position between first and B teams. 

Heading into Thursday evening, I’m not that sure Liam Shaw could be in contention for a berth in the team even if heavy rotation takes place. All of Nir Bitton, James McCarthy and Ismaila Soro are at Ange Postecoglou’s disposal in midfield. That’s without mentioning first team regulars Callum McGregor, David Turnbull and Tom Rogic. 

Dane Murray

Ange Postecoglou has already shown some faith in eighteen year old centre back Dane Murray this season. The Scot was introduced when Nir Bitton was sent off during Celtic’s Champions League qualifier with Midtjylland. Murray subsequently played all one hundred and twenty minutes of the second leg as well. 

Since that game though, Murray has yet to feature for Celtic at senior level, only being limited to a few B team appearances. In addition to this, Murray has played for Scotland this season at under nineteen level, following up from his five previous appearances at under seventeen and sixteen level. 

He stands at an imposing 6”4 and is more than capable with the ball at his feet. With Cameron Carter-Vickers unavailable due to suspension and Stephen Welsh carrying an injury, the door may well be left open for Murray to earn his second Celtic start of his career on Thursday. 

Including the names I’ve mentioned above, there’s also several other fringe players who could be in contention for Thursday evening’s clash such as Adam Montgomery, Osaze Urhoghide and Ewan Henderson to name but a few. 

I’m sure I speak for all Celtic fans when I say Celtic’s contest with Real Betis on Thursday will be an enticing one. The lineup and hopefully result will be surprising yet encouraging at the same time. 

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