ANGE POSTECOGLOU has backed his centre-back pairing of Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh to rise to the challenge of handling the star-studded RB Leipzig attack of Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku, after Cameron Carter-Vickers was ruled out of tonight’s Champions League tie.
The Celtic manager was speaking in Germany ahead of the first match of a double-header against Marco Rose’s side over the next week, the outcome of which could have huge implications for their chances to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since 2007.
Postecoglou has urged all of his Celtic players not to let that opportunity pass them by, but impressed upon Jenz and Welsh in particular that they have to make the most of the chance he will be handing to them.
“That’s what football is about,” Postecoglou said.
“Carl and Cam are pretty much mainstays for us. They have hardly missed a game. [Then] they have both had different issues. That’s meant that Welshy and Moritz have got an opportunity.
“It’s a great opportunity for them, a good challenge for them. A centre-half playing as a pairing requires understanding but in both games they have played so far they have got better at understanding each other’s movements.
“I am sure they are looking forward to it because they have got some real attacking threats tomorrow. They are both going to have to be on top of their games but we can help them with that.
“It’s great. how you can develop quickly.
“Nothing beats that kinds of experience, provided you go out there with a positive mindset and don’t let the game pass you by.
“It goes for a lot of our players. For most of them, it is their first experience of Champions League football. We are really big on making sure they don’t waste the experience and let it pass them by without making an impact.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has decided not to appeal the red card shown to Callum McGregor in Saturday’s win over Motherwell, when the Celtic captain was ordered off for denying Ross Tierney a goalscoring opportunity in the dying stages of the game.
“No, I had a look at it on the replay and I think it’s fair enough,” he said.
“I said at the time that I thought maybe Welshy had some cover there, but I think it was a fair enough decision.”
