Despite their 4-3 defeat this midweek against Kazakhstan based outfit FC Astana in the second leg of the playoffs, Celtic have progressed to the group stages of the Champions League owing to the 4-8 aggregate score line. The Bhoys demolished the Blue and Yellows at the Celtic Park in the first leg as they secured a 5-0 victory and thoroughly deserved to make the progress.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have been slotted into the group which comprises of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Anderlecht in the elite club competition of Europe and with due respect to Celtic, they are unlikely to make it into the knock-out stages. The Glasgow giants secured the domestic treble last season and Rodgers is seemingly likely to take the domestic competitions very seriously once again.
Celtic have carved a productive start to their new season, having won all three league games so far. They defeated Heart of Midlothian, Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock and are due to host St. Johnstone at the Celtic Park this weekend. Their outing would not be an easy one as the Saints have also won all of their first three games which comprised of their outings against Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Partick Thistle.
Here is how we expect the former Liverpool boss to pencil his starting line-up against St. Johnstone.
Defence
Craig Gordon should be stationed under the bar once again with the central defensive pairing of Jozo Simunovic and Nir Bitton being stationed to protect the goalkeeper. Bitton is being forced to play out of his position owing to the injury to Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata and despite his poor show against Astana, Rodgers is seemingly likely to stick with him.
From the left-back position, we anticipate Tierney to start whereas in the right-back, Mikael Lustig is expected to be manoeuvred as Christian Gamboa is still sidelined owing to his injury.
Midfield
Olivier Ntcham was sensational against Stanimir Stoilov’s side but the Frenchman might be rested against St. Johnstone, which implies that Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong are likely to be stationed in the middle of the park. While Eboue Kouassi is still out owing to a Malleolar injury, Tom Rogic should be used as the no.10.
Attack
Right up front, Leigh Griffiths is likely to get the nod from Rodgers to start with James Forrest in the right-wing position and Scott Sinclair is expected to start from the left-wing to complete Celtic’s formidable line-up.
