Celtic are back at Fir Park this evening, just a few weeks after a comprehensive 4-0 victory against Motherwell in the League Cup quarter final tie.
Ange Postecoglou will be looking for a similar high standard of performance and hopefully the same kind of result as the Celtic manager looks to finish off the two matches ahead of the break for the World Cup with strong performances and six points starting this evening before taking on Ross County – who won at Easter Road last night – at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.
Celtic go into this match knowing that a win will at the very least maintain the seven points lead at the top of the league, looking down on theRangers…who take on Hearts at Ibrox where the mood among the natives is unlikely to be warm and friendly as far at their under siege manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is concerned.
Match Officials
Since it’s now more important that ever to know these things – our old friend Nick Walsh awarded THREE penalties for handball last night (with the aid of VAR) in the match between Livingston and Aberdeen which the home side ended up winning 2-1, despite the visitors getting more penalties.
Willie Collum has the whistle this evening at Fir Park, while Dougie Potter and Craig Ferguson are his assistants (linesmen in old money). The fourth officialis Alan Newlands.
VAR Officials
Operating VAR this evening at Fir Park will be David Dickinson, with John McCrossan assisting.
Team News
James McCarthy is out with a hamstring pull that will keep him out until after the World Cup and probably into next year. He joins Callum McGregor on the sidelines while Ange Postecoglou has no other injury concerns.
As has become standard practice for the Celtic manager, there will be several changes to the team the defeated Dundee United 4-2 at the weekend, as the manager utilises his squad to maximum effect while attempting to keep the kind of injury McCarthy suffered to a minimum, this in vast contract to last season at this time of year.
Joe Hart is likely to retain the gloves and both Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor should start, with Josip Juranovic being protected ahead of the World Cup, even though Ange says this is NOT happening! Cameron Carter-Vickers and Moritz Jenz should retain their places from the weekend’s win.
In midfield Matt O’Riley, who has been outstanding as the stand-in number 6 in Callum McGregor’s absence should start with Reo Hatate and perhaps David Turnbull, back at his old haunting ground (that one is for Sandman fans).
James Forrest and Sead Haksabanovic could be on the wings and it’s Kyogo’s turn to start with Giakoumakis coming on later in the game. It’s always fun trying to second guess Ange’s team selection, and we’ll find out how we got on around 6.30pm this evening.
Predicted Team: Hart, Ralston, Taylor, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, O’Riley, Hatate, Turnbull, Forrest, Kyogo and Haksabanovic.
Kick Off Time
Motherwell v Celtic will kick off at 7.45pm (Celtic Park Time) with team news around 6.30pm.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game is NOT on Sky Sports, however the match is available via Motherwell PPV priced at £15. Full details below. This incidentally is one of the benefits of the new deal that the SPFL agreed with Sky Sports with the support of all teams in the league, except one. No prizes for guessing…
Watch Motherwell v Celtic live via our pay-per-view streaming service for £15.
Kick-off is 7.45pm.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) November 7, 2022
Subscribers to Celtic TV outside of Britain and Ireland can also watch the game while subscribers inside these islands can listen to audio commentary live before the match is shown on play-back at midnight (Celtic Park Time).
💻 Overseas subscribers can enjoy exclusive LIVE match coverage, whilst subscribers in the UK and Ireland can enjoy live audio commentary with a full match replay available from midnight.#MOTCEL | #cinchPrem | @CelticTV🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 8, 2022
