It’s a surprise Kara Mbodj is still an Anderlecht player. The defender, who has the ability to be Anderlecht’s most important player in matches against big opposition, nearly left during the January transfer window.
Premier League clubs came in with big offers, Anderlecht refused and the player’s head was turned. He got himself back together and helped the club win the league, but subsequent doubts about his character perhaps prevented a summer switch.
Playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and then Celtic, would have given ‘King Kara’ the chance to show his skills to a wider audience, but he’s now out of both matches.
With the Scottish Premiership champions hoping for Champions League progression, but more likely going for third place against Anderlecht, what is bad for the Belgian club is good for Celtic.
It will be easier for Celtic’s Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and Leigh Griffiths to play against Anderlecht in Belgium without Kara available, and barring a medical miracle that’s what will happen.
Brendan Rodgers and Celtic will take any advantage they can get in such a hard group.
