Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic team for this evening’s 8pm kick-off up at Pittodrie against Aberdeen, with four changes from the starting XI from the game on Sunday…
Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Reo Hatate (not pictured) during the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
In the continued absence of Kasper Schmeichel, Viljami Sinisalo is in goals after the Finnish International impressed against both VfB Stuttgart and the latest Ibrox club, keeping a clean sheet in the away win in Germany and been blameless for the two goals conceded in the first half of the Glasgow derby. Kasper Schmeichel did not travel with with Celtic squad yesterday afternoon with an ongoing illness issue that should be cleared up by the weekend.
Reo Hatate of Celtic warms up prior to the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
The back four Liam Scales starts with Dane Murray in the centre of defence. Julian Araujo is at right back with Kieran Tierney at left back, so it’s the same back four as the game at Ibrox.
Callum McGregor skippers the team beside Reo Hatate who impressed at Ibrox in he second hals and Luke McCowan who was excellent in Germany last Thursday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Benji Nygren are on the bench.
Tomas Cvancara celebrates scoring Celtic’s opening goal. 01.02.2026 Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO
Tomas Cvancara starts through the middle this evening with Yang and Sebastian Tounekti starting out wide for Celtic.
Subs: Doohan, Nygren, Adamu, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Saracchi, Maeda, Arthur, Forrest & Donovan.
CELTIC TEAM UPDATE – Dane Murray has suffered an injury in the warm-up so he drops out with Benjamin Arthur coming into the starting XI and that opens a place on the bench for Joel Mvuka who was preparing to watch from the stand.
Celtic’s absences are noticeable with Arne Engels, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston and Jota all sidelined with injuries while Auston Trusty misses out through suspension.
There is no place in the squad for Kelechi Iheanacho, who came on in Germany, and Mvuka, who was signed on a loan to buy deal in January but looks unlikely to make any sort of impact.
Four changes for the Hoops, freshening the team up for the third of three tough away matches in six days is a good move and hopefully one that pays off.
Come on the Hoops!
🔢 Our XI to face Aberdeen
Here’s how the Bhoys line up at Pittodrie 👇#ABECEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/1D8bFHOTgt
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 4, 2026
Here’s Chris Sutton’s pre-match assessment from pitch side at Pittodrie…
🟢 “Must-win” for Celtic
🔴 Aberdeen’s short-term aimsChris Sutton previews tonight’s game at Pittodrie, live on Sky from 7pm 📺 pic.twitter.com/3mxM0dw99H
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 4, 2026
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
