Ange Postecoglou will pick his side for tonight’s game against Hearts at Celtic Park as the Scottish Champions look to begin the doubleheader against the Edinburgh club with a win in the league. The teams will meet again on Saturday in the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle.
In the media conference on Tuesday, Ange said that he would make some changes to the starting XI from the team that won 5-1 against St Mirren last weekend. In terms of picking the team, we predict three changes with Ange keeping large parts of the team the same.
In goals, Joe Hart will continue behind the settled back four comprising of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor.
In midfield, Matt O’Riley will likely come in and replace Aaron Mooy with the Danish midfielder netting his first league goal of the season against St Mirren at the weekend. O’Riley will likely partner Reo Hatate in the two advanced midfield positions ahead of skipper Callum McGregor.
In attack, expect Liel Abada to start. The Israeli winger has been knocking at the door in recent weeks and his goal and performance at the weekend showcases that he is due a run in the team. Sead Haksabanovic could be a shout for the other flank with Saturday in mind. Jota scored on Sunday but endured a tough first half. The Montenegro International may be a welcome change to the left side. Kyogo will likely start through the middle. The manager may be tempted to go with Oh to get him further minutes but the rearguard of Hearts is formidable and the Edinburgh club are not to be taken lightly.
Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor: McGregor (C), O’Riley, Hatate, Abada, Kyogo, Haksabanovic.
In terms of the bench, we can expect there to be a strong selection of players to come on and influence the game, especially given the fact the bench has been so influential in boosting performance levels in the final thirty minutes of games.
There is only one absence from the squad with James Forrest unavailable. The winger picked up a muscle strain in training and will miss a period of games beyond the International break.
