Celtic face St Mirren this evening as Ange Postecoglou’s side looks to return to winning ways following a draw at Easter Road. Celtic were flat at the weekend and the manager will want a reaction from his players as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the table.
The league leaders are three points clear at the summit of the table and will be hoping to extend this as Rangers visit St Johnstone. Stephen Robinson’s Saints will look to draw some inspiration from Shaun Maloney’s Hibs, who were able to contain Celtic’s attacks at the weekend.
The manager may fancy making a few changes to his side as he looks to get back to winning ways following the draw in Edinburgh and the defeat to Bodø/Glimt last Thursday.
Predicted XI:
Joe Hart is Celtic’s undisputed No.1 and the Englishman will start, having missed the previous trip to Paisley with an illness.
In defence, you would imagine that it will be the same backline that starts this evening. Josip Juranovic at right-back, Greg Taylor at left-back, and then the defensive pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in the middle of the back four.
In midfield, Callum McGregor will start at the base of the midfield. The Celtic captain will likely be joined by Reo Hatate, who was poor at Hibs, and Matt O’Riley, replacing Tom Rogic from the side that drew on Sunday. The intensity of O’Riley may be preferable against St Mirren, who will likely camp deep into their half. Having the Australian playmaker to come on could be pivotal if they frustrate Celtic as the game goes on.
In attack, Giorgos Giakoumakis missed the game at the weekend and the manager rates his chances of playing a part as 50/50, meaning he will be unlikely to start. As a result, it will likely be Daizen Maeda that leads the line. The Japanese forward hasn’t yet hit the heights expected of him after arriving from Yokohama F Marinos but tonight could be the start of a purple patch for him. Liel Abada is expected to start on the right with Jota starting on the left.
