A draw at Tannadice on Wednesday night was just enough for Celtic to become the champions of Scotland with a game in hand. The Saturday afternoon contest against Motherwell is now a formality, but the Hoops must aim for a victory before lifting the coveted silverware in front of the Parkhead faithful.
The Well, on the other hand, have already cemented a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers. It is quite an achievement for Graham Alexander’s men who only managed a bottom-half finish last year. While they are currently fourth in the league standings, a win at Celtic Park should secure a higher qualifying round irrespective of Dundee United’s result against Ross County at Victoria Park.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Motherwell
Defence
Joe Hart failed to grab a clean sheet yet again after Dylan Levitt’s equalizer. He must aim for one this weekend in order to end the season on a high.
Josip Juranovic, still recovering from an injury, holds ‘half a chance‘ to be fit prior to the Motherwell fixture. Anthony Ralston, therefore, is expected to keep his right-back role even if the Croatian passes a late fitness test. Greg Taylor has been impressive down the left, thanks to his ability to balance the game between attack and defence. Cameron Carter-Vickers, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has been majestic in the heart of the backline and the club must do everything within their limits to tie him down on permanent terms. Carl Starfelt has settled in new surroundings overcoming early jitters.
Midfield
There are ample midfield options in their ranks, however, Ange Postecoglou has banked on those who fit well in his free-flowing football. Veterans like James McCarthy and Nir Bitton have slipped down the pecking order amid the emergence of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley since their winter arrival. David Turnbull is back in action recovering from a long injury layoff and the gaffer might give him the nod alongside O’Riley to operate in a box-to-box role. Ever-present Callum McGregor should pull the strings from his deep-lying spot and the Aussie wizard Tom Rogic is likely to play his part as a second-half substitute.
Attack
Celtic have two sets of ‘front three’ who are being rotated of late. Liel Abada, James Forrest and Giorgos Giakoumakis led the line against Dundee United, but the preferred attacking trio of Filipe Jota, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi should be restored on Saturday.
