Celtic, the treble winners last season, are on the course of clinching the same this term too and Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops boss, is upbeat ahead of tomorrow’s clash against bottom-placed Ross County at Celtic Park. Celtic, currently 10 points clear on top with a game in hand, are favorites to win the fixture and be back in the winning ways following a scoreless draw against Motherwell prior to the international break whereas the Staggies, being deep down the drop zone, have an uphill task ahead of them to maintain their top-flight status.
The Parkhead side have recently clinched a dramatic derby win over great rivals Rangers FC at Ibrox coming back from behind twice in the first half and scoring a second-half winner via substitute Odsonne Edouard despite being down to ten men. They, however, are likely to make it simpler this term and the Saturday afternoon fixture is tipped to be a stroll in the park for the Bhoys to stretch their gap in the top of the Premiership standings.
Team News
Celtic’s Nir Bitton and Jonny Hayes are ruled out for the season with injuries whereas Jozo Simunovic will miss the game following his marching order against the Light Blues during Old Firm derby. Kieran Tierney had a knock, was withdrawn from Scotland squad for the international duties and might not be risked against the Staggies despite returning to team training.
Craig Gordon, the veteran custodian, is close to returning to full fitness after months of absence with a knee injury but the tomorrow’s game will be too early for him to stake a claim between the sticks. Patrick Roberts is back with the first team versus Motherwell upon returning from a hamstring strain and is likely to be involved in tomorrow’s game as well. Leight Griffiths is back to full fitness too and is likely to make it to the matchday squad after missing out months of football with a long-standing calf injury.
Formation (3-4-1-2)
Rodgers, the Celtic boss, switched to a ‘back three’ formation against Motherwell following the injury absence of Kieran Tierney and is likely to retain the same against the Staggies.
Goalkeeper
Veteran Dorus de Vries was supposed to be the Celtic keeper against Rangers following the injury absence of Craig Gordon. But the Dutchman missed the trip due to illness and the Dundee-loanee Scott Bain, team’s third choice custodian, grabbed the opportunity with some massive saves. He earned the first-team status against Motherwell following his Rangers heroics and helped his side to clinch a clean-sheet. He is likely to be retained between the sticks until Gordon knocks the first-team door upon returning to full fitness.
Defence
It is still unclear whether Tierney will be fit for the Staggies clash, but the Parkhead boss is likely to retain a three-man backline similar to the Motherwell game unless the young left-back returns to first-team action tomorrow. Jack Hendry will slot in the right centre-back role following Simunovic’s absence due to suspension whereas Dedryck Boyata, the Belgian international will be operating centrally. Kristoffer Ajer has been a revelation in Celtic defence this season and the Norwegian is set to operate from the left-hand side of Rodgers’ ‘back three’.
Midfield
Celtic’s central midfield will be occupied by skipper Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham who have been performing persistently in the middle of the park. Patrick Roberts might be handed a start on the right-flank replacing James Forrest whereas Callum McGregor might again be selected over Scott Sinclair on the opposite wing. Tom Rogic was excellent against Rangers and the Australian might start the game in his preferred ‘number 10’ role behind the two strikers up front and operate like a connector between the midfield and frontline.
Attack
Although Leigh Griffiths is back in contention, it is unlikely for the Scotsman to start the game tomorrow. Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele were sensational versus the Gers but failed to impress against a ten-man Motherwell prior to the international break. They will be handed another opportunity to prove their worth against the bottom-placed Ross County at Celtic Park.
