Celtic captain Callum McGregor will be in action tonight as Scotland face Ireland tonight in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden. The game in Dublin in June ended in a disastrous defeat for Steve Clarke’s team but an improved performance against Ukraine has raised expectations ahead of tonight’s game.
Team News
Craig Gordon’s partner is due to give birth and the goalie will likely need to miss the game if he is called out by his missus. Zander Clark and Robbie McCrorie are in the squad but neither are on the level of the former Celtic keeper. Hopefully, he can get through tonight without needing to dash to the hospital.
Clarke will likely keep the team that beat Ukraine together. However, his hand will be forced with regards to right-back with Aaron Hickey to replace Nathan Patterson. The Everton full-back was forced off on Wednesday night and Hickey impressed when he came on. Tony Ralston will likely be on the bench in case he’s needed. Kieran Tierney, another former Celt, was phenomenal at left back and the Arsenal defender will likely continue there with Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna in the middle. Celtic’s Greg Taylor will likely need to bide his time to get on the pitch.
In midfield, Celtic skipper Callum McGregor was outstanding and worked well with Man Utd’s Scott McTominay. Ahead of them they had John McGinn, who played in a more advanced role but less advanced than former Celtic duo Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie. Ahead of them, Southampton’s Che Adams is expected to get the nod against Lyndon Dykes, who scored twice.
Declan Gallagher and Josh Doig were called up to replace Patterson and Celtic’s David Turnbull. The midfielder was forced out of the camp due to an ankle injury.
Predicted XI: Gordon; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna, Tierney; McTominay, McGregor, McGinn, Armstrong, Christie, Adams.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick-off at 7:45pm.
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on Premier Sports 1 with coverage kicking 7:15pm.
