As Celtic gears up for a pivotal match against Hibernian at Easter Road, Brendan Rodgers faces the challenge of securing his first win at this venue over two spells as the club’s manager.
With the Premiership title race intensifying, Celtic, now level on points with Rangers and only ahead on goal difference, cannot afford any slip-ups in their quest for three crucial points.
Predicted Celtic Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Joe Hart is set to continue between the sticks, providing experience and stability at the back.
- Defence: The back four is expected to see minimal changes from the 1-1 draw at Aberdeen. Alistair Johnston, Maik Nawrocki, and Liam Scales are likely to maintain their positions, with Carter-Vickers still out due to injury. Given Alexandro Bernabei’s underwhelming performances, Anthony Ralston, who substituted as a left-back in the previous match, might start in an adjusted role to reinforce the defence.
- Midfield: The midfield trio remains unchanged, with captain Callum McGregor anchoring the setup. Matt O’Riley, Celtic’s standout player this season, and on-loan talent Paolo Bernardo are predicted to contribute creativity and drive ahead of McGregor.
- Attack: Following a lacklustre display against Aberdeen, changes are anticipated in the attacking lineup. Nicolas Kuhn is expected to earn his first start after scoring his first goal for Celtic, bringing fresh energy to the frontline. Daizen Maeda, returning from the Asian Cup, could also be thrown into the starting XI. Leading the line will be Kyogo, despite Adam Idah’s recent commendations from Rodgers, with Idah poised to make an impact off the bench if needed.
