Predicted Celtic line-up to face Hearts in the Scottish Premiership
Celtic will welcome league leaders Hearts at the Parkhead on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership as Brendan Rodgers must aim to beat Craig Levein’s side twice in a week.
The Hoops dumped Hearts out of the Scottish League Cup to book their place in the finals of the competition last weekend. On Wednesday, Rodgers’ men flexed their muscles with a 5-0 win over basement club, Dundee, to move above Kilmarnock in the second place.
Hearts, meanwhile, would be looking avenge their League Cup defeat and fancy their chances against Celtic on Saturday.
Team News
Daniel Arzani was stretchered off on his Celtic debut against Dundee in midweek and would miss the weekend clash at home.
Eboue Kouassi and Olivier Ntcham missed the Dundee game and could be unavailable again at the weekend. Brown is already sidelined, while Gamboa, Griffiths and Simunovic remain big doubts. But Dedryck Boyata could shake off the niggle he felt against Dundee.
Probable Celtic XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Craig Gordon (GK)
Gordon has been a regular fixture in goal and that would not change when Celtic faces Hearts at the weekend.
Mikael Lustig (RB)
Lustig put in a decent show at Dundee in midweek and should look to build on it.
Felipe Benkovic (CB)
A rock at the back, Benkovic needs a run of games to fully get adapted to the Scottish Premiership.
Dedryck Boyata (CB)
Boyata brings a calming influence to the backline. He is Celtic’s best centre-back without any second thoughts.
Kieran Tierney (LB)
Tierney is an aggressive defender and gives his 100% every time he’s on the pitch.
Tom Rogic (CM)
Scored a beauty in the 5-0 thrashing of Dundee and should be eager to get on the score-sheet at the weekend against Hearts.
Callum McGregor (CM)
At Dundee, McGregor gave a glimpse that he can dictate the game from the middle of the park. An important cog of the team, he should start in central midfield again.
James Forrest (RW)
Forrest has been putting in brilliant performances of late. On the right, he is a certain starter against Hearts.
Ryan Christie (CAM)
Christie has been knocking the door for quite some time now but after a fantastic performance against Dundee, he should earn a starting berth for the weekend clash.
Scott Sinclair (LW)
Sinclair has certainly lost his magic with which he mesmerized the fans in his debut season at Celtic Park. However, with injuries piling up every week, he could receive another start.
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Odsonne Edouard (ST)
Edouard has impressed in bits and pitches but it’s high time he starts putting in consistent displays up top for Celtic.
