Tuesday night’s results against Lincoln Red Imps appears to get worse with every viewing, with the only light being that Celtic have the opportunity to consign the game to little more than an embarrassment if they see off the part-timers on Wednesday night.

However, both the performance and the result appeared to clarify the necessity of an overhaul where the Hoops first-team squad is concerned. Who will ultimately find themselves surplus to requirements at Celtic Park and who will Rodgers look to in order to carry Celtic forward?

Time up:

Efe Ambrose

It seems like an act of mercy to put Efe out of his misery. The Nigerian internationalist has been stuck in a horror showing of ground hog day with the same defensive instability coming at significant cost to the Celtic backline. The major problem for Celtic is that with Jozo Simunovic crocked – a player who has spent more time in the treatment room than on the park – and Dedryck Boyata still also sidelined – and also suspect – there are glaring holes at the centre of defence. Such holes, though, have been apparent for the past year. Celtic will get past Lincoln Red Imps at Celtic Park next week – but if they harbour genuine ambitions to get into the group stages of Europe’s premier competition then it is imperative that they address the issues that have destabilised them for the past two seasons at this stage. Defensive reinforcements are a must.

Saidy Janko

Janko has not had as many chances as Ambrose but he still seems badly out of his depth. If he can look like a rabbit caught in the headlights against a team made up of customs officers and police officers, then how will he fare against weightier teams? On recent evidence, it would be an act of folly to wait and find out.

Dedryck Boyata

The defender is expected to return from injury in the coming weeks but he has struggled to win over the Celtic support. Meek in the air and in the tackle, the former Manchester City has been unconvincing at the heart of the Celtic defence. Should Simunovic return to hold down a place alongside Erik Sviatchenko – who lacks pace but who reads the game well – it could be that Boyata’s time on the pitch is significantly reduced.

Gary Mackay-Steven

Had a cracking debut for Celtic and made strong early impression, but has never been able to sustain it. A nice guy off the pitch but too timid on it. Has looked out of his depth, even in league encounters for Celtic, and is unlikely to have what it takes to get Celtic back into the elite environment of the Uefa Champions League.

Question marks:

Scott Brown

At just 31, Scott Brown has time on his side. And yet, the Celtic captain’s game is centred around an aggression, an industry and a combativeness that starts to look less effective when he is off the pace. The midfielder played through tendonitis in both hamstrings last season but has been well rested in order to be fit for the European qualifiers. However, his timing has looked off and while his will to win is not underestimated, he has to be able to marry that with a controlled and disciple performance. Going into the campaign it is only to fair to say that there are some question marks over whether he can raise his performance levels to past seasons.

Mikael Lustig

The Swede has been solid for Celtic during his time at the club but injuries have wrecked havoc on his career. Lustig has been able and reliable but in recent seasons the inability to train as often as the rest of the first-team or to play in as many games has taken its toll. He remains dependable but, like Brown, there is a suspicion that his best days may now be behind him. It remains to be seen if he can disprove that this season. Tony Ralston, currently in the club’s academy, could scent his chance to push himself into the senior side this season.

Nir Bitton

Seemed to come out of his shell to such an extent that he was talked about as the next big transfer out of Celtic Park only a short time ago; Espanyol were rumoured to be lining up a £6m bid for the midfielder last year. However, has regressed to a pedestrian pace and doesn’t seem to ever get out of first gear when he is on the ball. The Israeli internationalist lacks the penetrative pass that can open a game up and has a tendency to push the ball sideways at every opportunity.

Stuart Armstrong

Eager to please and unwilling to rock the boat – played out of position last season but was reluctant to expand upon any frustrations he felt out wide. Armstrong made an initially strong impression when he first arrived at the club, but struggled to keep that up. Interesting to see if he can do better when deployed in his favoured central position.

Tom Rogic

Something of an enigma. The goal at Rugby Park last season showed an ability to conjure something from nothing while talk of Arsenal monitoring him suggests some potential. However, he needs to play consistently this season and cement a place in the team while showing that he is capable of assuming more responsibility when the game is not going Celtic’s way.

First names on the teamsheet:

Leigh Griffiths

The only two success stories of last season, Kieran Tierney and Leigh Griffiths are the guys on whom the Celtic fans will look to gear the team around. However, Moussa Dembele’s arrival looks to have shunted Griffiths into a wide position and it remains to be seen if the wish to have a traditional front two pairing is fulfilled this term under Brendan Rodgers. Griffiths’ best comes when is in the box and with a natural instinct for goal he seems wasted when drifting out wide. There will be a clamour to have Griffiths up alongside Dembele in an old-fashioned front duo.

Kieran Tierney

Caught the eye of Rodgers when the former Liverpool man was just in the door at the club. The danger for Tierney is that he gets dragged down if others around him are sinking and he needs the chance to play in a strong back line.