Celtic face St Johnstone on Saturday afternoon as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to go top of the Cinch Premiership. After last weekend’s Scottish Cup Quarter Final win over Livingston, Rodgers will want to see his side go into the International Break with three points and pressure put on Rangers, who play at Dens Park on Sunday.
Team News
Celtic will be without wide duo Luis Palma and Yang. Yang is serving the final game of his two match ban for that dubious red card at Tynecastle whilst Palma has suffered a calf tear in training and will be out for an estimated 3-4 weeks.
Reo Hatate will not feature despite being back to training with the first team squad. The manager has said that he will be back available for selection after the international break. Callum McGregor will also be available after the international break, using the time before the Livingston game to get clearance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is available after missing last weekend’s win with a knock; however, Liam Scales misses the game with a knock picked up in training. The Ireland Internationalist has been solid since coming into the side as a result of defensive absences, consolidating his place. Maik Nawrocki is also unavailable through injury.
Joe Hart will start in goals. The Englishman had the captain’s armband last weekend but will be hoping for a quieter afternoon this week.
In defence, expect Carter-Vickers to come in from the start to partner Stephen Welsh. There is an argument for Gustaf Lagerbielke to play; however, the manager has made his stance clear on where he rates the Swedish central defender. Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor will continue in the fullback berths.
In midfield, expect an unchanged trio of Tomoki Iwata, Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley.
In attack, Daizen Maeda will continue on the left after his excellent hat-trick against Livi meanwhile Nicolas Kühn impressed on the right with Adam Idah through the middle.
Predicted XI: Hart; Taylor, Welsh, Carter-Vickers, Johnston; Iwata, Bernardo, O’Riley; Maeda, Idah, Kühn.
Match Officials
Euan Anderson has been named as the referee. Anderson will be assisted by Calum Spence and Paul McAvinue with Lloyd Wilson acting as Fourth Official. Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Chris Graham is on VAR with David McGeachie assisting.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 3pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game is a sell-out and is not on TV/PPV. However, it will be available for Celtic TV subscribers outside Britain and Ireland. The club’s streaming service will begin at 2:30pm (Celtic Park Time) ahead of the game. Highlights will be available on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel starting at 7.30pm on Saturday with the programme repeated on BBC One Scotland at 11.15pm after Match of the Day.
Predicted Score
It was goalless the last time the teams met at Celtic Park but this time Celtic can’t be so wasteful in front of goal. Expect the Bhoys to come out on top with a 3-0 victory over St Johnstone.
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