An array of fringe Celtic players outshone Real Betis on Thursday night in their final Europa League encounter. Although the Hoops were already demoted to the Conference League, a spirited display against the La Liga side must have boosted Ange Postecoglou with squad options ahead of hosting Motherwell on Sunday afternoon.
The Bhoys grabbed a commanding 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Fir Park and should aim for three more points to keep pace with Rangers in the title hunt. However, the injuries to Kyogo Furuhashi and Albian Ajeti soured their midweek triumph and the gaffer, therefore, must find someone to spearhead the attack with Filipe Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis already ruled out with their respective fitness concerns.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Motherwell
Defence
Scott Bain was handed a rare start against Betis, but the Scotsman failed to impress between the sticks. Joe Hart has earned the assured ‘number 1’ status at Parkhead and the veteran Englishman would return in goal for the weekend contest.
Josip Juranovic would continue to feature as a right fullback amid the injury absence of Anthony Ralston. Despite impressing in Europe, Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton should make way for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in the heart of the backline. Celtic’s preferred defensive pair got rested on Thursday night, so was left fullback Greg Taylor who remained an unused substitute in their 3-2 Parkhead triumph. The young Scot is set to replace Liam Scales down the wide.
Midfield
Postecoglou handed rare minutes to Ismaila Soro, James McCarthy, Liam Shaw and Ewan Henderson in the middle of the park. Skipper Callum McGregor and match-winner David Turnbull were introduced as second-half substitutes and the dynamic midfield duo should start against Motherwell alongside Tom Rogic. Versatile McGregor should operate from the base, allowing Rogic and Turnbull to exhibit their dribbling traits, box-to-box movements and creative spark. Turnbull, in particular, would look to make it to the scoresheet once more against his boyhood club.
Attack
Celtic are running out of options high up the pitch following fresh injuries to Kyogo Furuhashi and Albian Ajeti. James Forrest remains uncertain with a tight hamstring, and the manager might have to rely on Mikey Johnston as a makeshift ‘number 9’. Liel Abada should feature from his preferred right-wing role, whereas emerging teenage prodigy Adam Montgomery must grab his opportunity if handed a start on the left-hand flank.
