Celtic face Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the early kick off on Saturday as Brendan Rodgers looks to move on from a disappointing January transfer window.
The Scottish Champions will face managerless Aberdeen in a tricky clash where three points are a must with theRangers hosting bottom-placed Livi later in the day. This is the first of three successive away matches over the next week for Brendan Rodgers’ side who travel to Edinburgh in midweek to play Hibs in the league then take on St Mirren in Paisley next Sunday in the Scottish Cup.
Aberdeen will be looking to bounce back from the form that saw Barry Robson relieved of his duties earlier this week after a 1-1 draw against Dundee at Pittodrie. The Dons will have First Team Coach Peter Leven, assisted by Scott Anderson, taking charge and in the home dugout for the visit of Celtic, as reports circulate that former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is now the frontrunner to replace Robson. These things change quickly so we’ll have to wait and see but surely Lenny would be a sensible appointment?
Liel Abada of Celtic scores to give Celtic a 0-1 lead. The goal was disallowed for offside but awarded by referee Kevin Clancy after a VAR check. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership – 13 Aug 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Aberdeen have lost nine matches in a row against Celtic and defeat tomorrow would mean that they will have lost ten successive matches against Celtic for the first time in their unbroken history.
Celtic have won 12 of their last 14 visits to Pittodrie since a 2-1 defeat there in February 2016. And Celtic have scored at least once in each of their last 41 visits to Pittodrie in all competitions dating back to a 2-0 league defeat back in December 2001.
Team News
Matt O Riley of Celtic celebrates with team mates after scoring to give Celtic a 1-3 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Pittodrie on 13 August 2023, Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
New signing Adam Idah is expected to be involved having trained on Friday and he travelled with the Celtic party today after fulfilling his media duties at Lennoxtown. The Irish Internationalist was Celtic’s only other addition after Nicolas Kuhn arrived from Rapid Vienna. Meanwhile, David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston were deadline day departures from Celtic.
Matt O Reilly 33 of Celtic scores a goal 1-3 during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 13 August 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI
Cameron Carter-Vickers is going to be missing for two to three weeks and Reo Hatate, who Brendan Rodgers revealed has injured BOTH calves while on international duty with Japan, is going to be missing for six to eight weeks. Gustaf Lagerbielke’s move to Lecce fell through as a result of CCV’s latest injury and he will be in the squad tomorrow.
Hatate is returning to Lennoxtown for yet another round of treatment while Oh, Yang and Daizen Maeda remain at the Asian Cup as does Marco Tilio who this week signed a loan deal with his former club Melbourne City, until the end of the season.
Tomoki Iwata celebrates after scoring our fourth goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic FC at Tynecastle on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Tomoki Iwata is now back in training after picking up an injury in the Champions League win over Dutch Champions Feyenoord at Celtic Park in December but he is still a few weeks away from a return to match-day action.
Greg Taylor is also still absent, meaning that Alexandro Bernabei will likely start at left back after the club failed miserably in their attempts to bring in another left-back to the club.
In goals, Joe Hart will as usual have the gloves. .In defence, expect Maik Nawrocki will partner Liam Scales with Alistair Johnston and Alexandro Bernabei in the full back berths.
Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 1-2 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership match at Pittodrie on 13 August 2023. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
In the middle of the park the Champions will be unchanged, with the trio of Callum McGregor, Paolo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley all starting. In attack, Kyogo will start through the middle and he will be supported by Luis Palma and Liel Abada.
Predicted Celtic XI: Hart; Johnston, Scales, Nawrocki,Bernabei; McGregor (c), O’Riley, Bernardo; Palma, Kyogo, Abada.
Subs: Bain, Kühn, Lagerbielke Holm, Welsh, Vata, Ralston, Idah, Forrest.
Match Officials
Celtic v Hibernian – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Referee Steven McLean in action during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Steven McLean has been appointed as the referee for the match. McLean will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Sean Carr with Alistair Grieve operating as Fourth Official. Meanwhile, back at Clydesdale House, Steven Kirkland is on VAR with David Roome assisting.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 12:30pm (Celtic Park Time) so it’s an early start for the Celtic away support making their way to the North East.
Celtic have the backing of 1668 supporters in the away section. Banners can be displayed on the fencing at the edge of the section, near the Sky TV commentary box, so we”ll get the chance to give Kris Boyd his traditional warm welcome!
Where to Watch
The game will be shown live from the North East on Sky Sports Football and Main Event, with coverage from Chris Sutton, Kris Boyd and Co beginning at 11:30am.
Predicted Score
Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic – Three points are essential tomorrow and Brendan will have the team fired up and ready to perform with Matt O’Riley starring and Kyogo getting back amongst the goals before making way for Adam Idah to make his Celtic debut.
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