Pic: © SNS Group
Neil Lennon has named his team for the Champions League qualifier against Braga and has given the nod to four of his new signings, with one more on the bench. Charlie Mulgrew, Cha Du-Ri, Efrain Juarez and Joe Ledley have all been given their first competitive starts, with Daryl Murphy on the bench.
Surprisingly, there is no place in the matchday squad for Aiden McGeady. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has been the subject of transfer speculation and manager Neil Lennon has confirmed there has been a bid from Spartak Moscow. If McGeady played for Celtic in the Champions League he would be cup-tied for any other club that has qualified for the competition.
Lennon had insisted that he would play the midfielder unless told otherwise, stating that the good of the team and the importance of qualification was paramount. However, McGeady missed the trip to America earlier this month due to injury and it may be that the club did not want to take a risk.
Celtic team: Zaluska, Mulgrew, Hooiveld, Loovens, Cha, Juarez, Brown (c), Ledley, Ki, Samaras, Maloney
Celtic substitutes: Cervi, Rogne, Crosas, McCourt, Murphy, Forrest, Fortune
Braga team: Felgueiras, Rodriguez, Moises, Cesar, Garcia, Lima, Elderson, Madrid, Salino, Alan, Vandinho
Braga substitutes: Artur, Barbosa, Keita, Meyong, Silvio, Capela, Matheus
