After a scintillating pre-season, Celtic sent a clear message by clinching a comprehensive 4-0 win against Kilmarnock on the opening weekend. They will now travel to Easter Road to lock horns with Hibernian at Sunday lunchtime, however, the Glasgow giants remain firm favourites given Hibs’ dreadful run of form across competitions.
Although the Hoops have dominated the tie in recent meetings, Hibernian managed to put up a fight in Edinburgh including a goalless draw last October. An injury-time spot-kick from Adam Idah earned Celtic a hard-fought victory earlier this year, but it would be a colossal job for David Gray’s men to grab a result in their backyard.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian
Defence
Kasper Schmeichel has been roped in as a like-for-like replacement for Joe Hart. They have also tied down Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa, but the Finnish custodian, as well as Scott Bain, would continue as the understudy to the veteran Danish ‘number 1’.
With Greg Taylor expected to continue as the left fullback with no senior alternative available, Brendan Rodgers has ample depth and quality in other spots. Alistair Johnston should get the nod ahead of Anthony Ralston down the right, and so are Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales in deep defence despite having the likes of Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke. Scales has been a revelation under the Northern Irishman as he also found the net against Killie late in the first half.
Midfield
Although the Bhoys are still in talks with multiple clubs over Matt O’Riley’s potential transfer, the Celts are tipped to field the midfield ace while he is in Glasgow. Reo Hatate was impressive in the previous gameweek having fired in the opening goal early into the contest, also, skipper Callum McGregor must continue as the deep-lying playmaker from the base of Rodgers’ three-man midfield. Paulo Bernardo, Tomoki Iwata and Odin Thiago Holm might get involved at some stage as second-half substitutes.
Attack
Celtic have ample options high up the pitch, yet they are working on bringing Adam Idah back following his Scottish Cup final heroics against Old Firm rivals Rangers. Kyogo Furuhashi would spearhead the attack with no other outright ‘number 9’ available for selection, and the gaffer must stick with Nicolas Kühn on the right who is off to a flying start. James Forrest could feature from the left with Luis Palma, Yang Hyun-Jun and Mikey Johnston available as ‘super subs’.
