Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed why he brought Nicolas Kuhn and Jota back into his starting lineup against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.
The Parkhead boss made two sole alterations from his team's 5-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Johnstone six days prior, with Adam Idah and James Forrest dropping out at the expense of the wing duo.
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Speaking post-match, Rodgers explained his team selection and how the decision to start Jota and Kuhn was purely tactical, given he expected United not to go man-for-man, unlike St Johnstone last week: "My feeling was that they would be zonal deep on the pitch," he said.
"So I needed two wingers that were exceptional in 1v1 situations. Because we want a lot of room in behind for parts of the game."
At least in the case of Kuhn, Rodgers' decision proved dividends as the wide man bagged a brace to take his seasonal goal tally to 20.
"I was so happy with his work ethic and his mentality to get back, run, press," said the Celtic manager of the German.
"That's how you play in my team.
"He's got two goals. The first one was a brilliant finish. Obviously, we cut through. But one, he's got to be there, and the work to get there. And two, the finish was sublime.
"And as I said, the wingers need to go the other way here. You have to do the work; you've got to run. And he showed that today."
Jota came off injured 35 minutes into the match. He was later seen on crutches and in a knee brace.
Rodgers provided an update on his condition post-match: "He just felt his knee with the medical guys," he said.
"We're looking at whether his meniscus is a little bit sore. We'll just have to assess that. Of course, they put it in the brace to protect it, but we'll see in the next couple of days."
