Celtic go in search of their own high five on Wednesday as AZ Alkmaar arrive in Glasgow for the first leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off tie (7.45pm).

Ange Postecoglou's men have won four matches on the trot and one more against the Dutch Eredivisie side would set them up nicely in their bid to secure qualification for the group stages.

Who will the manager pick to take on AZ? Does he even have much choice when you get down to it? Our writers make their calls...

Alison McConnell

AZ Alkmaar have found themselves where Celtic were just a few short weeks ago as they struggle to find their way into a new season. Not that it will dilute the task that Celtic have of overcoming them in this Europa league play-off. 

The Dutch side lost their opening league game of the season and are currently in a period of transition having lost high-profile players this summer. Celtic, by contrast, are considerably better off than where they were when the Champions League qualifiers got underway but they remain very much a work in progress. 

Middle to front Ange Postecoglou’s side play with an attacking verve that will reap goals. Problem is that there remains a question mark over how to manage a game. Hearts were given two cheap goals on Saturday and while they proved to be little more than statistical note, it made for a scoreline that wasn’t representative of Celtic’s display.  

READ MORE: AZ Alkmaar analysed ahead of Europa League qualifying first leg

Eliminating that defensive fragility remains key. In that respect, the expectation is that Callum McGregor will continue in a deeper role as he offers a layer of protection to the backline. The question is whether Tom Rogic starts, whether Odsonne Edouard keeps his starting berth and whether Ryan Christie comes straight back in again, if he is fit.  

With Celtic keen to progress into the group stages of the second-tier tournament and keep the current momentum going, it will be an interesting call. 

Celtic Way:

Alison's team: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, Rogic; Forrest, Edouard, Furuhashi.

Sean Martin

As good as Celtic have been playing the past few games, the impact a couple of injuries and a lack of options can have on this squad is low-key scary for mid-August. 

With Ryan Christie out, Liel Abada just back after two games out and still no real alternatives to turn to in defence with Christopher Jullien a while away yet, I'm literally picking the same starting XI as Alison here. I can't even bring myself to throw in a 'bring back Nir Bitton' shout for the sake of stoking debate.

The two goals conceded against Hearts rankle a little, but not enough to change the defence. It will benefit all of them more to continue getting used to one another. 

Callum McGregor as the single pivot has been working well and may prove to be even more important against AZ than the past few games. The captain's willingness to take the ball from the defenders no matter the situation provides a level of comfort to them no other player can supply. 

READ MORE: Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths left on bench again and he must prove to Ange Postecoglou he has something to offer - Alison McConnell

David Turnbull's progression has been clear to see lately too and there's no reason to think he drops out. Tom Rogic has been reinvigorated and, although there's a case to be made he could benefit from load management more than others even this early in the campaign, Christie's absence to me forces Postecoglou's hand. The alternative is probably playing Ismaila Soro, James McCarthy or Bitton, all of whom's presence probably changes McGregor's role more than anything else. Not worth it.

Up front, Odsonne Edouard's goal and assist against Hearts likely earns him another start, meaning Kyogo Furuhashi begins wide left and James Forrest remains on the right.

Sean's team: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, Rogic; Forrest, Edouard, Furuhashi.