Opinion: 14-goal star's movement should see him start key Celtic game

One major selection decision that is facing Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou when it comes to this weekend’s Glasgow derby is who to play on the wings for the Bhoys.

The Hoops will likely play a 4-3-3 formation as usual against Rangers, with the in-form Giorgos Giakoumakis as the lone striker, with Jota on one wing.

As for who plays on the other wing, that could come down to a selection between Daizen Maeda, who is in good form for the Hoops but was left out of the Japan squad for their international break due to fitness concerns, and Liel Abada, who is one of Celtic’s top scorers this season with 14 goals, but who has not scored for the Bhoys in last six appearances.

Despite that mini-drought, Abada is the player that should be selected by the Hoops boss start the game on the wing.

Not only because of Maeda’s fitness concerns, but because his movements in attack could be key to Celtic’s chances of winning the game.

If you look back to Celtic’s 3-0 win over Rangers last month, then Abada’s movement was key to the Hoops’ third goal. He drifted into the penalty box to get on the end of a cross to put the ball into the net.

He did the same with Celtic’s opening goal in the 4-0 win over Motherwell, drifting into the penalty box to give the Hoops the lead in the game, and when scoring the only goal against Dundee United, once more he was in the penalty box to score an important goal for the Bhoys.

That movement is what separates him from Jota to an extent, although Jota has still scored 10 goals for the Hoops this season, Abada seems more likely to get into the penalty box.

It will be interesting to see Celtic’s approach to the game at Ibrox, as the Hoops, being three points clear in the Premiership, know that a draw wouldn’t be