Celtic looked like the real deal at Easter Road during the week for the first half at a ground that’s been a real stumbling block over the past few seasons. It’s hard to say what changed in the second half but the game shifted into a power struggle with Hibs compared to the ease the Bhoys controlled the first half.
A lot of fans pointed to the injury to Rogic and him being replaced with Bitton. Bitton is usually an easy target when things go wrong but I actually thought he played his role brilliant for the second half. If you are going to criticise him while comparing him to Tom Rogic we’ll leave you to it.
There is a good chance Bitton will start today while Tom Rogic drops out for two or three weeks with a hamstring injury. Josip Juranovic has overcome an eye injury that resulted in him visiting the hospital after Wednesday’s win over Hibernian.
Jullien and Forrest are still a bit away from making a return. With the teams just announced via the club official channels, this is how Celtic line up today:
? Starting XI for #CELLIV!
? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?#cinchPrem | #COYBIG ?⚪️ pic.twitter.com/KltKEb0Kyo
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 30, 2021
The big news from this team sheet is Kyogo on the bench to be replaced by Giakoumakis. James Forrest is named on the substitutes bench after months out with injury. Nir Bitton will protect the back four with McGregor moving up into the Tom Rogic hole.
- Celtic have never lost a top-flight home game against Livingston in 14 previous such meetings, winning 12 and drawing two.
- Livingston won their first league meeting this season with Celtic 1-0, only their second ever top-flight victory over the Bhoys, also winning 2-0 in October 2019.
- Celtic are on a run of four straight league wins, their best such run since a run of five ended back in February.
