Celtic v Hearts – predicted XI for the Scottish Champions

Celtic face Hearts this afternoon as the Scottish Champions look to make it four wins out of four in the Premiership. After last weekend’s 5-0 win over Kilmarnock, the Celts return to Paradise for a 3pm kick-off today.

Ange Postecoglou has some big calls regarding his starting XI as he looks to pick up all three points and put some daylight between 1st and 2nd.

In goals, Joe Hart will start. The Englishman has two clean sheets in three games so far this season and he’ll hope that he can continue this run and keep the Jambos at bay.

In defence, the manager must decide between goalscorers Carl Starfelt and Moritz Jenz for the starting slot beside Cameron Carter-Vickers. You would imagine that the German defender will get the nod as Starfelt continues his return from injury. Josip Juranovic and Greg Taylor are expected to continue at full back.

In midfield, Reo Hatate’s return to the squad threatens David Turnbull’s place in the starting XI and gives the manager a call to make. However, you’d imagine that Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley will be joined by the Japanese midfielder on the left side of that middle three.

In attack, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis are knocking on the door for a place in the team at the expense of Daizen Maeda and Kyogo; however, you’d expect the latter to continue after a fine outing in Ayrshire last weekend. Jota, who has been phenomenal so far, is a stick on to start.

We’ll bring team news as we get it but our prediction is that Ange will go with this team:

Predicted XI: Hart; Taylor, Jenz, CCV, Juranovic; Hatate, McGregor, O’Riley; Maeda, Kyogo, Jota.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

Comments are closed.