Celtic face Motherwell on Saturday afternoon as the Scottish Champions return to Paradise after a period on the road. Since losing to Hibs, Martin O’Neill’s side have beaten Stuttgart, Aberdeen and Rangers in the Cup as well as drawing against Danny Röhl’s team in the league at Ibrox.
Now, focus returns to league action after the chaos of the Scottish Cup Quarter Final win last Sunday. Jens Berthel Askou’s side were narrowly beaten when they played at Celtic Park in the first round of fixtures this season before following it up with a comprehensive win over Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic.
Team News
Celtic go into the game with a number of players still out on the sidelines. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum Osmand and Jota remain out with longterm injuries. Kieran Tierney has returned to training but Celtic captain Callum McGregor did not partake after missing last weekend’s game. Kasper Schmeichel is out with for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury, meaning he will remain sidelined. Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston are stepping up their returns from injury but neither will be involved this weekend.
Vil Sinisalo will continue in goals. The Finnish stopper has made the No.1 berth his own since Schmeichel was sidelined.
KT could return but the manager may avoid rushing him back. Marcelo Saracchi will likely start at left back with the impressive Julian Araujo at right back. Auston Trusty is suspended so it is a toss up between Benjamin Arthur and Dane Murray for the starting role beside stand-in skipper Liam Scales.
Luke McCowan and Reo Hatate will start in the middle of the park with Benji Nygren in advance.
The front three is harder to predicted but Yang, Seb Tounetki and Daizen Maeda are the most likely to get the nod. Tomas Cvancara could also lead the line after the high of his match winning penalty.
Predicted XI: Sinisalo; Araujo, Arthur, Scales, Saracchi; Hatate, McCowan, Nygren; Tounetki, Maeda, Yang
Referee Details
Just two weeks after taking charge of the league meeting between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox, experienced referee John Beaton has been handed the whistle for the game on Saturday.
The 44-year-old will be assured by Graeme Stewart and Calum Spence.
Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Kevin Clancy will be on VAR with Gary Hilland assisting.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 3pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game is sold out as supporters hope to see Martin O’Neill’s side record three points against the impressive visitors from Fir Park. The game will be available on Celtic TV for subscribers outside of Britain and Ireland.
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Motherwell out played Celtic at firpark but Celtic is a difrent team now with there having pulled some good results and confidence is high if our strikers take there chances we will win yes motherwell playing some good football celtic park going to be full and the pressure will get to motherwell players should be a good game and sky must be sorry not to have it live if Celtic win the pressure will be on Rangers there game away to St mirren is the live tv game on sunday with hearts playimg on sunday to its makes it more need for Celtic to get 3points