Celtic travel to Dens Park for the early kick-off today as Ange Postecoglou’s side looks to follow up the win in Budapest with three points in the league. Dundee sit in eleventh place while Celtic have fallen to 3rd owing to Hearts’ impressive win over Dundee United but victory will put Ange’s team within one point of leaders Rangers, who play later this afternoon. Celtic were 6-0 winners when the sides met in August and Ange will be hoping for the same today.
Team News
Celtic are without a couple of key players as they travel to Tayside. Tom Rogic and Carl Starfelt missed the trip to Budapest with hamstring injuries. They were replaced by Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton in the starting XI but both were then injured in the win over Ferencvaros.
Welsh was forced from the field, being replaced by Liam Scales at centre back. Disappointingly, Welsh looked assured up until this point and he will be a doubt. Bosun Lawal was an omission from the Celtic B lineup yesterday, sparking suggestions that he may be involved with the Celtic squad today. However, you would expect that Scales would earn his first start at the heart of the defence if Welsh fails to return.
Next is whether he will play James McCarthy in midfield or another attacker in that No.10 role. McCarthy came on for Bitton late on in the win on Thursday and will be hoping to get a game.
In attack, the manager will be weighing up whether to start his ‘Three Amigos’ in attack or whether to rotate the front three. Kyogo, Abada and Jota all scored in Budapest but there are others itching to show the Boss what they can do. Abada, Forrest and Johnston will all be keen on playing on the opposite side from Jota and then Kyogo and Giakoumakis will be vying for a place through the middle but Ange will know that he needs to rotate his team to avoid burnout.
Albian Ajeti and Vasilis Barkas, two 2020 summer signings, were omitted from the team in Hungary and you would expect that this could spell the end of their time at the club. There may be some other telling signs if we see who isn’t on the bench today.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick off at 12pm (Celtic Park Time)
Where to Watch
The game will be live on Sky Sports football with coverage beginning at 11:30am. The game will also be on Celtic TV, outwith the UK & Ireland.
