After a shocking defeat against Dundee in the league, Celtic bounced back in Europe with an impressive 2-1 win against Sturm Graz. But they must prepare themselves for another tricky test, with the Premiership leaders Hearts ready to welcome the reigning Scottish champions at Tynecastle on Sunday lunchtime.
The Jambos had a nightmare 2024-25 season, as they not only lost three times to the Hoops but also missed out on a top-half finish. Derek McInnes has changed their fortune since his summer appointment, and the Scottish boss must motivate his men to clinch all three points, thus stretching the lead to eight points at the top of the league standings.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hearts
Defence
Kasper Schmeichel has not kept a clean sheet since the stalemate with Hibernian last month. It would be massive if he grabs one against Hearts, given the flying form of Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland up top.
Brendan Rodgers made a mistake by rushing Alistair Johnston’s return. The Canadian right-back was forced to leave the pitch midway through the first half, and the gaffer should rely on Anthony Ralston’s experience, even though teenage ace Colby Donovan assisted Liam Scales on Thursday night. Although Auston Trusty is back on the bench recovering from his injury, Scales must keep his place in deep defence alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers. Kieran Tierney, fit again to feature twice a week, is expected to keep his place down the left ahead of Marcelo Saracchi.
Midfield
Skipper Callum McGregor, ever-present deep in the midfield, must exhibit his vision, distribution and creativity from the base. Reo Hatate remains the driving force with his box-to-box runs, energy, flair and high work ethic as a ‘number 8’, and Arne Engels, despite losing his place to Benjamin Nygren early into the campaign, deserves a run of games, having impressed against the Austrian opponents. Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo, waiting for opportunities, could be introduced as ‘second half’ substitutes.
Attack
With Daizen Maeda still nursing a hamstring strain, an injury this midweek, sustained soon after the kick-off, could now keep Kelechi Iheanacho on the sidelines for a while. Rodgers might bank on Johnny Kenny as the ‘number 9′, and Benjamin Nygren should continue as a makeshift right winger after scoring the winner against Sturm Graz. Sebastian Tounekti must cause a menace in the Hearts’ defence with his dribbling and directness from the left-hand flank. Michel-Ange Balikwisha, James Forrest, Hyun-Jun Yang and Shin Yamada are also there among the attackers and could get involved from the bench at some point in the second-half.
