Rodgers wary of starting summer signing

Brendan Rodgers has admitted he may rest his latest summer signing and maintain his central defensive pairing from last week.

The former Liverpool manager signed Kolo Toure last week after he was released by the Premier League club at the end of last season, but is still thought to be short of match fitness.

Toure is still waiting to make his debut in the green and white Hoops after signing a one-year deal, and the 35-year-old Ivorian may have to wait a little longer following comments made by Rodgers.

Celtic got a crucial away goal in Astana last week through Leigh Griffiths, and only need a goalless draw to advance tonight in their third qualifying round tie against the Kazakh side.

However, in front of a packed Paradise crowd, Rodgers’ side will be expected to win in style and send the Celtic faithful home happy ahead of the league campaign starting once again this weekend.

Speaking to the Scotsman, the 43-year-old said:

His experience will be vital, whether it is from the start or in another part of the game. It will depend on what I feel the game needs. I’m happy enough with the other options in terms of what we’ve got [in central defence]. Cohesively we can work well together.

Kolo could start the game and last it through but it’s also one of those ones when, as a coach, you are thinking it might be that second or final part of the game where you need that experience to close it out.

He could, for example, play 60 minutes and have to come off. Then you have to put someone less experienced on. So the idea could be to keep him on the sidelines and then, when you need more height in the team to close out the game because they are playing direct, you can put him on.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender has made 412 Premier League appearances and 86 appearances in European competition, and will provide valuable experience for the Hoops this season in the heart of defence.

Celtic will look to finish off Astana and progress to Friday’s play-off round draw where they could face old foes Legia Warsaw who are also in action tonight or League of Ireland side Dundalk after they overcame BATE Borisov in Belarus last night.