Celtic were back to winning ways last weekend when they grabbed an edgy win against Motherwell in the Premiership. But a sterner test awaits Ange Postecoglou’s men as they would lock horns with RB Leipzig on Tuesday night in their upcoming Champions League contest.
Despite a spirited display, the Hoops suffered a defeat against the reigning champions Real Madrid. They were excellent against Shakhtar Donetsk, but the wastefulness in front of goal saw them settling for a 1-1 draw in their previous European fixture. Leipzig, on the other hand, are yet to secure a result and the midweek clash should be decisive for both outfits in terms of keeping the European hopes alive.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face RB Leipzig
Defence
Joe Hart has not been at his best of late and the veteran Englishman must step up the show to avoid further misery in Germany.
The medical team are trying their level best to make Cameron Carter-Vickers available for this big occasion. The USMNT international has been struggling with fitness woes and the ongoing frailty in the defensive third must be addressed before it gets worse. Moritz Jenz should partner with Carter-Vickers in deep defence with Carl Starfelt continuing to be sidelined with yet another injury nightmare.
Josip Juranovic scored a bizarre own goal versus Motherwell, but his expertise down the right, along with Greg Taylor’s balanced approach as a left fullback might make a difference against the German opponents. Anthony Ralston and Alexandro Bernabei must stay patient for their opportunities.
Midfield
Callum McGregor should pull the strings from his deep-lying midfield role. He has been stupendous as a ‘number 6’, and his vision and versatility should allow Celtic to script attacking transitions from the deep. Both Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley have impressed with their box-to-box movements, swift link-up play and creative spark. However, the pair must also offer a defensive work rate to help their skipper. The likes of Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and Oliver Abildgaard could get involved as second-half substitutes.
Attack
Kyogo Furuhashi has been clinical high up the pitch and his poaching trait might cause menace in the Leipzig defence. Filipe Jota, with all his flair and footwork, must feature from the left-hand flank, whereas the in-form Liel Abada is expected to occupy the right-wing role ahead of Daizen Maeda, Sead Haksabanovic and James Forrest. Marksman Giorgos Giakoumakis has a chance to make it to the matchday squad after a brief injury layoff.
