Ange Postecoglou has named his starting XI for this evening’s Premiership opener against Hearts. The Australian has decided to give a debut to Swedish Internationalist Carl Starfelt as he looks to address the lack of quality in the Celtic backline with the addition of the £4.2m signing from Rubin Kazan. The manager has also put new signing Kyogo Furuhashi on the bench as he looks to give the attacker his debut.
In goals, Scott Bain continues ahead of Vasilis Barkas. The Greek goalie is slipping down the pecking order at the club with a deal for Joe Hart nearing completion.
In defence, Starfelt starts alongside Nir Bitton in the heart of the Celtic defence. Anthony Ralston continues at right-back whilst Greg Taylor gets the nod at left-back.
In midfield, captain Callum McGregor is joined by Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull in the centre of midfield. James Forrest and Liel Abada start in the wide positions.
In attack, Odsonne Edouard is preferred to Albian Ajeti in attack.
On the bench for Celtic: Barkas, Kyogo, Ajeti, Christie, Rogic, Montgomery and Welsh.
It is a tough start for Celtic with Robbie Neilson’s Jambos offering a very different proposition to last time the sides met in December 2020, where Celtic won on penalty kicks. It will hopefully be a convincing win to kick off the season tonight.
Come on Celtic!
Hearts meanwhile have named their team for the match with ex-Celtic duo Craig Gordon and Gary Mackay-Steven starting.
Hearts: Gordon; M. Smith, Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley; Halliday, Cochrane, Baningime; Mackay-Steven, Ginnelly; Boyce.
Subs: Stewart, Haring, McEneff, Gnanduillet, Henderson, C. Smith, Pollock.