Celtic are back at Tynecastle this evening looking for revenge for the controversial opening day of the season defeat against Hearts when an honest mistake denied Liel Abada a perfectly good goal and somehow Andy Halliday’s lunge from behind on Callum McGregor went unpunished.
While revenge will be sweet the three points on offer have a tantalising appeal to them for Celtic and will set the Bhoys up for the next two home matches against Dundee United at the weekend and theRangers next midweek. Nine points from three wins in these matches will see Celtic’s title chances soar and will hopefully knock the wind from the sails of the first time title winners from last season.
With so many injuries and international absences to content with Ange Postecoglou has to make do with the situation that he’s in when selecting this evening’s starting eleven. Even without his captain, Callum McGregor, new signings Yōsuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda, and midfield regulars Tom Rogic and Dvid Turnbull, this Celtic side should be strong enough to get the job done against a Hearts side which will battle for the full match.
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New Bhoy @mattoriley8 makes his #CelticFC debut! 👊#cinchPrem | #HEACEL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/ugwfYlQ66m
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 26, 2022
Joe Hart is in goals as you would expect. The back four is Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor.
The holding midfield number 6 position will be played by Celtic’s number 6, Nir Bitton and he’s well used to a battle or two at tonight’s hostile environment. Ahead of the Israeli will be new signings Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, who makes his debut after going the club last week from MK Dons.
James Forrest is on the right, Jota plays on the left and Giorgos Giakoumakis – who scored at the weekend and also played for the full 90 minutes – leads the line.
On the bench for Celtic are Bain, Jullien, Welsh, Ralston, McCarthy, Soro, and 16 year old hot prospect Ben Doig.
Young winger Ben Doak training with the first-team
The 16-year old has featured twice off the bench for Tommy McIntyre’s B side grabbing a goal and an assist in either game. He was also on the bench for Celtic’s trip to face St Johnstone on Boxing Dayhttps://t.co/13wj0u9lrx
— Lewis Laird (@LewisLaird01) January 25, 2022
Young winger Ben Doak training with the first-team
The 16-year old has featured twice off the bench for Tommy McIntyre’s B side grabbing a goal and an assist in either game. He was also on the bench for Celtic’s trip to face St Johnstone on Boxing Dayhttps://t.co/13wj0u9lrx
— Lewis Laird (@LewisLaird01) January 25, 2022
