The Celtic team has been announced for Sunday afternoon’s pivotal tie against Aberdeen. The Hoops need the win, there’s no two ways about it.
Celtic XI v Aberdeen: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Montgomery, McGregor, Bitton, Abada, Turnbull, Jota, Kyogo
Subs: Bain, Scales, Giakoumakis, Ajeti, McCarthy, Rogic, Welsh
Ange has watched his side drop five points over the past two games and is yet to win an away game in the SPFL.
Celtic have also not won an away tie domestically sine February this year – it’s a ridiculous stat that must be ended this afternoon.
Aberdeen have had their struggles, but like we often see, teams who struggle suddenly find their motivation against Celtic.
The major talking point of today’s starting XI is undoubtedly Nir Bitton’s inclusion. Tom Rogic has been put on the bench for the tie against the Dons.
Celtic will be up against Scott Brown who will be going all out to make sure his team win the game and we need to win the midfield battle.
There has been a mixed response to Bitton’s inclusion from fans on social media.
Very glad to see Bitton getting a game today.
Hopefully he can protect the defence and allows McGregor to get further the park and influence attacking play.
Front three turns me all fanboy?— Tetraplegic bhoy (@stevenceltic81) October 3, 2021
Bitton is a massive liability and unreliable, don’t let the fact our other midfielders are poor trick you into thinking he’s up to standard.
— Matthew (@matthewd67) October 3, 2021
Honestly think playing bitton will give us better balance in midfield, rogic and turnbull can’t play in the same team IMO
— michael mcdonnell (@mick6790) October 3, 2021
Big day for Bitton.
Would like to see Scales and Giakoumakis get some decent minutes.
Bench starting to look a bit healthier. pic.twitter.com/Wwzf7Am1xm
— Positive Hoops (@PositiveHoops88) October 3, 2021
Nir Bitton is a tidy player but a massive liability, proven numerous times he’s unreliable
— Aidn (@aidnmc) October 3, 2021
Nir has had issues with staying on the pitch before, he’s cost us in games because of his lack of discipline. He needs to be clever if he wants to continue to play in this Celtic side beyond today.
We did well we stood our ground and had to grind it out to win but i hope they kick on from here…
Ridiculous to point the finger at Bitton imo, there have been problems in every position on the pitch. Today was no better. Was there anyone on that pitch would you say had a good game today? So inconsistent, a player that has a couple of good games that has a couple of nightmare games. I do not like this playing out from the back, not safe, too many times giving the ball away or hoofing it up field, which they might as well have done to start with.