Celtic face Hibernian this evening in the Cinch Premiership. The Scottish Champions drew in the last meeting between the teams at Easter Road in October as Brendan Rodgers’ side failed to break down the Leith club. However, Rodgers will be hoping that a first ever win away to Hibs will kickstart a run of title-winning form.
Despite Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn having an impact from the bench, you would expect the manager to keep them for an impact on the subs bench with the returning Daizen Maeda coming into the starting XI.
In goals, Joe Hart will start. The Englishman made a couple of big saves at Pittodrie and will hopefully be quiet this evening.
In defence, expect Alistair Johnston to start at right back with Alexandro Bernabei continuing at left-back with Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki in the central pairing.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 23: Daizen Maeda of Celtic shoots at goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
In midfield, Callum McGregor will start at the base of the central trio as he looks to dictate proceedings. The skipper will be joined by Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley.
In attack, expect Kyogo to continue through the middle with Liel Abada continuing down the right. One change you would expect is Daizen Maeda to come in for Luis Palma, who struggled at Pittodrie.
Celtic are winless in their last two visits to Leith, losing at the tail end of last season and a draw earlier this season. Three points must be recorded after Rangers narrowly beat Aberdeen at Ibrox to go level on points but behind on goal difference. Given that Celtic were 8 points better off when Michael Beale was sacked, the team need to pull together a run of form and show themselves to be the top team in the country.
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