With football fixtures thrown into disarray once again due to the latest pandemic developments, there have been mixed reactions to Celtic facing off against St. Mirren tonight in the league.
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin faces a major selection headache. Saints failed in a request to get the match postponed after a number of positive Covid-19 cases. The Buddies have a threadbare team to choose from.
Empathy is in short supply from some Celtic fans after they were forced to play games with a depleted squad last season, this is not really directed at St. Mirren but more at the people in suits who change the rules constantly.
The Hoops will be looking to follow up their Scottish League Cup victory with three points and bring the gap between first and second back to four points.
Ange Postecoglou has his own injury problems and they’ve been an issue since he arrived at the club. Kyogo Furuhashi played with a hamstring problem on Sunday and also scored Celtic’s two goals to bring home the silverware. He didn’t finish the game and clearly wasn’t 100% leaving the field.
Turnbull, Jota, Ajeti, Giakoumakis and James Forrest are still out along with long term absentee Christopher Jullien. No doubt St. Mirren’s injury problems are far greater though going into this clash.
With the teams just announced this is how the Hoops line up tonight:
No Kyogo or recognised striker in the squad.
📋 @owenmoffat02 makes his first competitive Hoops start in tonight's #CelticFC starting XI! 🟢⚪️ #STMCEL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/l5evt0iwm4
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 22, 2021
Celtic have won 10 of their last 11 league matches (D1), including each of their last six in a row. Away from home, the Hoops are on a six-match league winning run, scoring two or more goals in all six.
St. Mirren have only won one of their last 25 league meetings with Celtic (D2 L22), a 2-1 win at Celtic Park last season.
