Celtic will host Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park in a mid-week game after booking their place in the next round of the Scottish Cup. The Hoops have had a perfect run since the winter break, and Lennon’s men will once again look to consolidate their position on the top of the table.
Hearts are still bottom of the table, but they have displayed the ability to spring a surprise on their day. After all, who can forget their win against Rangers recently? Celtic and Hearts have squared off twice already this season, and the Scottish champions won both the encounters. Heart of Midlothian are coming in this game on the back of a narrow 1-0 win against Falkirk.
Team News: Winger Michael Johnston is a long term absentee. Scott Bain recovered from his long term hand injury, and he played the weekend’s game. Summer signing Hatem Abd Elhamed is still on the treatment table. Jeremie Frimpong is also expected to miss out. The Celtic boss will be happy that quite a few of his players have now recovered from injury and are fit to go.
3-5-2 Celtic Predicted Lineup Vs Heart Of Midlothian
Formation (3-5-2)
Defence
Fraser Forster should return in between the sticks after he sat out the Cup game. Celtic played with a back four against Clyde, but we are expecting them to play with a back three in the league game. Jozo Simunovic will start as the right-sided centre back. Christopher Jullien will be in the heart of the back three. Kristoffer Ajer will occupy the left side in defence.
Midfield
Jonny Hayes could get a chance to feature in the left wing-back role. Olivier Ntcham scored a brilliant goal against Clyde, and he could be in contention to start again in midfield. Callum McGregor wasn’t involved in the last tie, and he should return to the lineup and feature in midfield. He was in instrumental in the win against Motherwell, and the Scotsman will again look to put in an influential display. Captain Scott Brown helps Celtic to keep things tight in the middle, and he too is expected to begin in the middle. James Forrest is likely to play in the right wing-back role.
Attack
Leigh Griffiths has managed to find his bearing after the winter break. He should start up front alongside Celtic’s man in form Odsonne Edouard who can do no wrong at the moment.
