Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to hand Kolo Toure a Champions League return

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to hand Kolo Toure a dramatic return to Champions League action on Tuesday night.

The Ivorian star had a nightmare in the Hoops 2-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach at Celtic Park earlier this month.

He blundered badly at both goals and afterwards issued a public apology: “I’m 35 but made the mistakes of a 16-year-old.”

Rodgers, though, is very much standing by a player he believes possesses the ideal temperament for challenges such as the one now facing his team at the Borussia Stadium.

“The only reason there has been changes in that position has been down to fitness,” he said.

“Kolo’s a true warrior – you don’t get to achieve what he has in the game at 35 without that strong mentality.

“Any game I’ve ever had, especially away from home in tough places, he has been one of the leading players.

“He is someone who will always give his best, so I know if I call on him for this game that he will be ready.”

While Kolo Toure remains central to his plans, Kris Commons does not, with a January exit looking possible for the 2013-14 winner of the PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers Player of the Year awards.

“Kris is a good guy and I like him. It has been tough,” said Rodgers of the midfielder, whose playing style has not fitted in with the high tempo pressing game he favours.

“I have brought in players who play in a slightly different way to how he’s played before.

“There is no doubting his qualities and what he has shown here over two, three, four years.

“But although it is a different team now playing in a different way, Kris still trains hard every day, doing his best.

“All I have ever said to them all is if you are not playing or not in the plans then just respect the work.

“That way they are improving to be the best they can be and if they are not going to play here, they are getting a level of work which will help them get games if and when they leave the club.”

Celtic need to take something from the Borussia tie, otherwise their hopes of extending their European campaign will be effectively over.

They face a tough task, though. The Hoops have never managed to win in Germany in a UEFA competition.

“I didn’t know about that record, so it would be great if we could put that one to bed,” said Rodgers.

“But listen, Borussia Monchengladbach are one of the crack teams of Europe and I think they showed that against us.”

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