Celtic face Aberdeen this afternoon in the Cinch Premiership. With Rangers travelling to Livingston at lunchtime, the Scottish Champions host the visitors from the North East in the traditional 3pm kick-off. The Dons arrive with Barry Robson in charge, the former Celtic midfielder is in interim charge at Pittodrie after Jim Goodwin was sacked.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have scored 40 goals in 13 games since the return of domestic action in December and will warm up for next weekend’s League Cup Final by playing the Granite City side.
Team News
Kyogo Furuhashi is available. The Japanese striker went off injured against St Mirren and was clutching his shoulder as he went off. The Celtic hitman was pictured later with his arm in a sling as the manager said he would need a scan. However, he has come through this injury scare and is available despite missing a couple of training sessions.
The only player missing is David Turnbull, who is injured. The Scotland midfielder started the game against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup last week but he was substituted after failing to really put his stamp on the game. The manager confirmed that the player had picked up a knock and would miss tomorrow’s game.
The manager will likely continue with his settled back four. Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley’s impact off the bench was impressive and they will surely have forced the manager to consider starting them before from the start. Another player that made an impact from the bench was Liel Abada, winning a penalty and picking up an assist, the young winger will hope that he gets a place in the team.
Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Abada.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 3pm (Celtic Park time).
Match Officials
Willie Collum is the referee for the match and is assisted by linesmen Dougie Potter and David Doig. Scott Lambie operates as fourth official. Alan Newlands is at Clydesdale House on VAR duty, and will be assisted by Graeme Leslie.
Where to Watch
The game will be available on Celtic TV for subscribers outside Britain and Ireland. There is no PPV option. The game is a sell-out.
🟢 MATCHDAY AT PARADISE! ⚪️
🆚 Aberdeen
🏆 #cinchPrem
⌚ 3pm
🏟️ Celtic Park
💻 Live & Exclusive on @CelticTV (exc. UK & IRE)
#CELABE | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/tw0kyQaYLf— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 18, 2023
Morning Gossip: Ange never stops "I think our football is improving. "I think we’re playing better now than we were at the start of the year & we were playing pretty well at the start of the year. My role is to keep pushing and to keep trying to improve." Turnbull out injured HH pic.twitter.com/SSqgzk7xvt
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) February 18, 2023
GLASGOW DERBY UNDER THE LIGHTS ON FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7PM….CELTIC V theRangers
Don’t forget there’s some Friday Night Football under the lights this coming Friday when Fran Alonso’s title challenging Celtic side take on theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie with the match only open to Celtic supporters. Celtic are a point ahead of theRangers at the moment and three behind Glasgow City who we play a week on Sunday, also over at Airdrie. A win against theRangers takes Celtic to the top of the league and a win the following Sunday will really put Celtic in the driving seat for our first ever SWPL1 Title. Get along and support the team, for full ticket details click below…COYGIG!
