Team’s Up: Magic man Moffat makes first start as Celtic look to win eighth game on the bounce

Manager Ange Postecoglou admitted earlier this week that Owen Moffat wasn’t even in his first-team calculations two weeks ago amid his debut a week ago – but his continued good spell of form for the Celtic ‘B’ side has seen him earn his first start against a severely depleted St Mirren side.

Moffat has won two appearances in the famous green and white, coming on for the last-gasp win over Ross County last midweek before featuring at the end of the memorable ‘Kyogo Final’ on Sunday against Hibs. And the diminutive winger will get a chance to impress against the Buddies.

Generally speaking, it is a second-string XI from Ange for the trip to Paisley. Scott Bain makes just his fourth appearance of the season and just his second in the SPFL after being dropped following the loss to Hearts on the opening day.

He will play behind an established back line of Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh, all of whom have somewhat shone in their seasons so far, with the former especially marking his place as a first team player. They are joined in just a second start for Liam Scales, with the Irishman returning to the fore in the Premier League in favour of Greg Taylor.

An established midfield of Nir Bitton, Callum McGregor (C) and Tom Rogic will look to dominate possession in the middle of the park, with the Australian midfielder currently enjoying some of his finest form at Celtic Park thus far, alongside McGregor’s every game improvement as the skipper.

And they will look to supply countless chances against the almost helpless St Mirren outfit for Owen Moffat, Liel Abada and Mikey Johnston; a quick, agile front three who will all likely intertwine to give Jim Goodwin’s side a torrid time on a wicked Wednesday winter night.

Bench: Hazard (GK), Taylor, McCarthy, Shaw, Henderson, Montgomery, Juranovic.

📋 @owenmoffat02 makes his first competitive Hoops start in tonight's #CelticFC starting XI! 🟢⚪️ #STMCEL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/l5evt0iwm4

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 22, 2021

Come on Celtic!