Celtic are on a roll. Three wins in a row and back to back clean sheets. In recent times this wasn’t news but after the last 18 months, fans are looking for an indicator that things are turning around. Is this it?
Winning runs have to start somewhere and they breed confidence like nothing else can. Our shakey defence can also only benefit with a few clean sheets under their belts. Ange Postecoglou will be looking to extend this run with the visit of St Johnstone to Celtic Park this afternoon.
Team-wise, Josip Juranovic and midfielder James McCarthy return to the squad for the cinch Premiership. James Forrest and Christopher Jullien are nearing a return, Greg Taylor (shoulder) remains out, while midfielder Karamoko Dembele faces further time on the sidelines after undergoing ankle surgery.
Celtic have not played since Tuesday so it is unclear if Ange will feel he needs to do any rotations. For the first time this season, the manager had a bench during the week that had some options and strength.
With both teams just announced officially, this is how your Celtic team will line up today:
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Here's the Hoops XI for #CELSTJ ?#cinchPrem | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Yt0caKmM4S
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 23, 2021
While we weren’t expecting any major changes to the starting 11 today, Giakomakis and Juranovic both start today. Fans have been eager to see the Greek striker and they will be happy with today’s inclusion. Abada, whose form has dropped a bit drops to the bench.
Juranovic comes back from injury into the unsettled left-back position. This must put a question mark over how highly the manager rates Bolingoli. Once again the Celtic bench is looking useful.
- Celtic are unbeaten in 16 league meetings with St Johnstone (W13 D3) since a 1-2 defeat in May 2016 under Ronny Deila.
- St Johnstone are without a win in 10 league visits to Celtic Park (D3 L7) since winning 1-0 in March 2015 under Tommy Wright.
- Celtic are unbeaten in 10 home league games (W8 D2), conceding just three goals in this time while scoring 31 themselves.
