Celtic might have undergone another miserable European run, but they are going strong in pursuit of a domestic ‘treble’. The Hoops are not only maintaining a nine-point cushion over Rangers at the top of the Premiership standings but also gearing up for the League Cup final later this month. However, their immediate focus should be the upcoming St Mirren fixture in the 5th Round of the Scottish Cup.
The Celts clinched a thumping 5-0 win against Greenock Morton in the previous round. They will host the Buddies on Saturday evening and the gaffer Ange Postecoglou would demand another commanding victory similar to last month’s 4-0 league triumph. Meanwhile, St Mirren are the only outfit to defeat Celtic this season in a domestic outing. But they have a mountain to climb to script another upset given the Bhoys’ exquisite winning streak.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face St Mirren
Defence
Joe Hart has been the Hoops ‘number 1’ across competitions and the veteran Englishman is expected to retain his starting role ahead of Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist.
The winter signing Alistair Johnston has cemented his place down the right amid the injury absence of Anthony Ralston. Cameron Carter-Vickers has been rock solid in the heart of the backline, but the manager might opt for Yuki Kobayashi in place of Carl Starfelt. Greg Taylor is likely to operate from the left ahead of Alexandro Bernabei. Struggling for game-time, Stephen Welsh might again miss the first-team status.
Midfield
Celtic have ample depth as well as quality in the centre of the pitch. Tomoki Iwata has been an exciting addition, but the Aussie boss should rely on skipper Callum McGregor as the deep-lying playmaker. Aaron Mooy is enjoying a scintillating form, but the veteran midfield ace might be rested in favour of Matt O’Riley. David Turnbull, too, deserves a start after impressing as a ‘super sub’. Ever-present Reo Hatate could make way for the Scotsman.
Attack
Giorgos Giakoumakis has finally left Celtic to join Atlanta United. Oh Hyeon-gyu has been tied down to feature as the understudy to Kyogo Furuhashi, but the latter is irreplaceable for his poaching trait high up the pitch. Sead Haksabanovic, Liel Abada, Filipe Jota, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest have been rotated down the wide. However, the Hoops’ chief should stick with in-form Daizen Maeda and Filipe Jota for their work rate, flair and finesse from the flanks. The others could get minutes as second-half substitutes.
