Celtic are flying high in the Premiership as they have maintained the nine-point lead over Rangers despite the latter’s incredible streak under Michael Beale. They destroyed Livingston 3-0 at Parkhead on Wednesday night and the gaffer Ange Postecoglou would hope for another commanding victory in their upcoming contest against St. Johnstone.
The Saints are heading towards a midtable finish despite a midweek win over Motherwell. They almost snatched two points from the Hoops at McDiarmid Park when Alex Mitchell scored an injury-time equalizer. However, the champions of Scotland netted the winner moments later which shattered the home side entirely. It remains to be seen now whether Callum Davidson’s men manage to deliver another headstrong display on Sunday lunchtime.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face St. Johnstone
Defence
Celtic have not only won all their games since a thrilling 2-2 draw against Rangers but also managed to keep six successive clean sheets across competitions. Joe Hart featured in all of them and the veteran Englishman must aim for another one this weekend.
The Bhoys have a stable ‘back four’ with Alistair Johnston stepping in and delivering week in, week out amid Anthony Ralston’s injury absence and Josip Juranovic’s winter move to Union Berlin. The Canada international must keep his place down the right, and so is Greg Taylor on the left who is now back in business following an injury layoff. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt should continue as the first-choice central defensive pairing ahead of Yuki Kobayashi and Stephen Welsh.
Midfield
Although Yosuke Ideguchi and James McCarthy do not belong to the manager’s plan, Celtic have ample depth as well as quality in the middle of the park. Skipper Callum McGregor drives the show from his deep-lying role, also the relentless box-to-box movement of Reo Hatate makes him irreplaceable. Aaron Mooy is likely to return to the starting XI given his exquisite run of form as a ‘number 8’. Meanwhile, Matt O’Riley, Tomoki Iwata and David Turnbull are the alternate three-man midfield who are capable of slotting in as ‘super subs’ late in the outing.
Attack
Kyogo Furuhashi should spearhead the Hoops attack ahead of their winter signing Oh Hyeon-gyu and the wantaway Giorgos Giakoumakis. Sead Haksabanovic could grab a start down the right which would see Daizen Maeda operating from the left. Filipe Jota, Liel Abada and James Forrest might get involved at some stage with a view to utilising their expertise on the flanks.
