Four talking points ahead of Celtic v Manchester City

28 September 2016 12:02

Celtic face another massive task in the Champions League when they welcome Manchester City to Parkhead on Wednesday night.

While the English giants got their Group C bid off to a flying start by thumping Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 on matchday one, the Glasgow side suffered humiliation at Barcelona's Nou Camp.

Here, we look at four talking points ahead of the fixture.

RAMPANT CITY

The Premier League leaders have made a breathtaking start to life under Pep Guardiola with 10 straight victories - and another at Celtic Park would take City a step closer to levelling their club record of 12 consecutive wins. But having swatted aside a host of cash-rich opponents down south, they are unlikely to be too worried about what Brendan Rodgers' side can throw at them. The Parkhead atmosphere, however, could yet be the deciding factor. The Hoops' faithful have inspired their team to remarkable feats in Europe before so do not be surprised if they rise to the challenge once again.

HURTING HOOPS

While Celtic have been all-conquering on the domestic front, their Champions League campaign got off to the kind of start they would have been dreading as soon as they were drawn into the group of death. Up against a Barcelona front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar - described by Rodgers as the best of all time - the Scottish champions could offer no resistance as they were walloped 7-0. The task facing them as City cross Hadrian's Wall is just as big but Rodgers will hope pride ensures his men do not allow themselves to be bullied so savagely this time.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

Guardiola will have to decide who he calls in to replace star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian limped out of Saturday's win at Swansea with a hamstring problem. Having declared that the former Chelsea and Wolfsburg attacker sits in a group of players surpassed only by Messi, finding someone to fill his boots for the next month will be a sizeable task, even with a squad as packed with talent as City's. Jesus Navas was the man sent on after De Bruyne limped off against the Swans, while Guardiola could turn to Navas' Spanish compatriot Aleix Garcia Serrano, who started the 2-1 win at the Liberty Stadium. Other options include £37million summer signing Leroy Sane.

GLOVE DILEMMA

Rodgers has already decided Scotland keeper Craig Gordon would resume duties between the sticks but it was done with some reluctance. The former Liverpool and Swansea boss dropped Gordon earlier this month in the wake of some shaky displays from the 33-year-old. Dorus De Vries, who Rodgers had worked with during his Swans sting, was promoted in his place but has yet to convince the Celtic support he is ready to take on the mantle of being their number-one stopper. An injury suffered during Saturday's 6-1 romp over Kilmarnock has handed Gordon a reprieve but his boss will make it clear he will need to see a vast improvement if it is to be a long-term return.

Source: PA-WIRE