Celtic return to Paradise to face Dundee this evening in the Scottish Premiership. The Scottish Champions left it late to beat Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday and will be looking to continue the performance levels exhibited in the second half.
Dundee have given a good account of themselves in the games against Celtic this season and will prove to be a tricky opponent. However, Brendan Rodgers will be eager to lay down a marker and have his side really show their teeth as we get into the business end of the season with everything to play for in the league and Scottish Cup.
Tonight will also give Celtic supporters another opportunity to collectively ‘scout’ Owen Beck, a player that we flagged up first back in early September last year as a possible solution to our squad’s left back problem.
Team News
Liel Abada remains out due to his personal reasons for not wanting to play for Celtic, while the club remain supportive. They say that the first casualty of war is the truth and there was a perfect example of that this week with Israeli media making completely unfounded allegations of Abada being verbally abused in the street in Glasgow as a reason for his reluctance to represent the club that pays his wages.
Yesterday Brendan Rodgers had this to say on that: “I’m not aware of him being verbally abused in the street, no. I speak regularly with Liel. It’s sadly a situation which doesn’t put him in the right frame of mind to play but we are chatting daily. He’s still training with the group and whilst he’s with us, we’ll do all we can to support him and look after him.” The key words here are “whilst he’s with us” as we can expect to have seen the last of Abada in a Celtic shirt. Keeping him fit for a transfer out asap seems the sensible thing for the club – entirely blameless in all of this – to do.
Reo Hatate remains out but is working towards a return and the sooner the better. Maik Nawrocki can’t seem to catch a break and the Polish defender felt tightness in his hamstring at the weekend, meaning he’ll miss this game and also the weekend trip to play Hearts at Tynecastle. The Celtic manager has confirmed that Cameron Carter-Vickers needs to be managed but is ready to start. The USA Internationalist’s substitute appearance coincided with Celtic’s tempo improving at Fir Park.
Adam Idah and Yang were the other standout substitutes at the weekend and both will likely start, meaning Kyogo and the underwhelming Nicolas Kuhn will drop to the bench. Idah’s all-round play was impressive and he’ll be looking to continue that form this evening .
Predicted Team
Joe Hart will start in goals. The Englishman made a huge save at 1-1 to deny Lennon Miller on Sunday and has been in outstanding form since the return from the winter break. In defence, expect Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor to continue in the full back berths with Liam Scales partnering CCV, who may play for an hour.
In the midfield, expect Tomoki Iwata to start in the deeper role with the Celtic captain Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley in the more advanced roles. In attack, Adam Idah will lead the line. The Irishman will likely be supported by Daizen Maeda on the left and Yang on the right. The South Korean winger will be hoping to take his chance this evening, as showing potential in flashes isn’t going to be enough. Alistair Johnston was talking yesterday afternoon about how good a football Yang is and tonight should be his big opportunity to show what he can do and make himself the first choice right winger in the process.
Predicted XI: Hart; Taylor, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Johnston; Iwata, McGregor, O’Riley; Maeda, Idah, Yang.
Match Officials
The SFA have confirmed the appointment of referee Matthew MacDermid for tonight’s Celtic v Dundee match. He will be assisted by Sean Carr and Graham McNeville, while Ross Hardie will operate as Fourth Official. Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Euan Anderson is on VAR duties with Frank Connor assisting.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick off at 7:45pm (Celtic Park Time).
Supporters Travel Updates
Confirmation, as we don’t have access to the Emirates Coach Park for the match against Dundee tomorrow, alternative parking will be Nuneaton St 🚌🍀https://t.co/Z2tUCXjldJ pic.twitter.com/akR75hztzC
— CELTIC FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) February 27, 2024
📣Emergency Gas Works📣
Due to emergency gas work, Cumbernauld Road (Eastbound), between Alexandra Park Street and Alexandra Parade will be closed until Monday 18 March 2024.
Drivers should avoid the area as delays can be expected. pic.twitter.com/Yssz7xLwuN
— Glasgow City Council (@GlasgowCC) February 27, 2024
📢 It’s a busy one in Glasgow today (Wed, 28 Feb) with @CelticFC playing @DundeeFC at Celtic Park (KO 19:45) and @NiallOfficial performing at the @OVOHydro (Doors open 18:30).
Avoid ticket queues by buying mTickets in advance on the ScotRail app.@CelticFCSLO pic.twitter.com/d7nGaSgynw
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 28, 2024
Where to Watch
The game will be available on Celtic TV for subscribers outside Britain and Ireland. The club have also confirmed that a PPV option of £12.99 will be available to supporters unable to attend.
📺 Wednesday’s match is available inside the UK & Ireland via pay-per-view.
➡️💻 https://t.co/V8G3EEsGKH pic.twitter.com/l7d7wXOGMa
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) February 26, 2024
Predicted Scores
There is a feel that tonight’s games could be massive in determining the location of the title. theRangers travel to Rugby Park to face in-form Kilmarnock, who have shown themselves to be a formidable opponent this season. The main focus for Celtic is beating Dundee and if there’s a fast start in our game, it’ll put pressure on theRangers in their game.
Would be nice to hear one or more of those roars around Celtic Park this evening signifying a Kilmarnock goal!
Predicted Scores – Celtic 3-0 Dundee and Kilmarnock 1-1 theRangers…
COYBIG
🟢 MATCHDAY ⚪
🆚 Dundee
🏆 #cinchPrem
⌚ 7:45pm
🏟️ Celtic Park
💻 Live on @CelticTV (exc. UK & IRE)
📺 Live on PPV (Buy Game Pass below) #CELDUN | #COYBIG🍀— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 28, 2024
INTRODUCING CELTIC SHORTS…
Incidentally our new Celtic site, celticshorts.com is available to view now. Pop over and have a look. We’re still in first gear but we’ll get it up to speed over the coming days and weeks and we’re sure that you will enjoy this addition to The Celtic Star’s output…
CELTICSHORTS.COM – SHORT, SHARP CELTIC NEWS AND COMMENTARY FROM THE MAKERS OF THE CLETIC STAR – AVAILABLE TO VISIT NOW…
