Celtic’s strongest starting XI when everyone is available

What is Celtic’s best starting XI when everyone is available?…

This season hasn’t been the best we’ve had in recent years. It’s obvious to everyone that our form has been variable for quite some time now, hence letting an eight point lead slip. One of the main reasons for that is our inability to name the same starting line up on a weekly basis due to injuries.

Those injuries have been to our most valuable and experienced players such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate and currently Callum McGregor. That’s the spine of our side, and now we have Maik Nawrocki and Luis Palma missing too. Those are dilemmas we could do without.

We still should be beating sides with the players available, but those players are undeniably a big miss. Not just their presence on the pitch, but for those around them. Liam Scales for instance doesn’t look as comfortable when he’s not beside CCV.

In midfield the presence of Reo Hatate is missed by those around him especially the strikers who feed off his creativity. Last season the two players who provided the most assists for Kyogo were Jota and Reo Hatate so you can see why Kyogo’s goals tally is nowhere near as good this time around.

Even Callum McGregor who has been unfairly criticised recently, is a sore miss due to his leadership skills as much as his technical ability. A lot of folk are now starting to realise how much he contributes to the side.

So what is Celtic’s best starting XI when everyone is fit and available?

For me it’s as follows…but let’s see your strongest XI in the comments section below.

Joe Hart; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, Greg Taylor; Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley; Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Luis Palma

A strong side with creativity, strength and a real goal threat. It would also leave us with some healthy options from the bench. Will we see this line up before the end of the season? That is the big question. Fingers crossed.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy