Celtic have yet another Scottish Premiership away day upcoming this weekend. A trip to Motherwell lies in wait on Saturday at lunchtime as the Bhoys look to make it four league wins on the bounce.
Brendan Rodgers will have a home clash with Lazio next Wednesday on his mind when picking his team for this one. The Irishman will want to make the starting eleven for both games as similar as possible, and ahead of the Motherwell match, our writers give you their lineup predictions.
Josh McCafferty (@Joshmcc_05)
With Joe Hart suspended, Scott Bain will begin between the sticks for this one. He came on at the weekend and will once more play in place of the Englishman.
In front of the Scotland international will be a centre-back pairing of the returning Nat Phillips and on-form Liam Scales. Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will start at left and right back respectively.
The midfield picks itself. Callum McGregor will take up his usual position in the ‘six’ role meanwhile Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley will play in front of him.
Up top, it is non-negotiable that Kyogo will lead the line, and that his fellow countryman Daizen Maeda will play out wide on the left or right. Who plays on the opposite flank to the former Yokohama F. Marinos man is up for debate, but I back Luis Palma to get the nod and make only his second Celtic start.
Overall starting XI prediction: Bain, Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Maeda, Palma, Kyogo.
Aaron Haire (@aaronhairee)
Our writer Aaron Haire also gave us his starting lineup prediction for the weekend: Bain, Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Maeda, Yang, Kyogo.
Craig F. (@CraigCelt) – Editor
Finally, the site’s editor has also named his prediction for what Saturday’s lineup could be, and it is as follows: Siegrist, Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Maeda, Palma, Kyogo.
Across the team, there are few debates over who could start and where. The midfield is completely nailed down, along with the majority of the back and frontlines.
It is up to Brendan Rodgers to make up his mind over positions of uncertainty, and we will find out what decisions he has made come Saturday at 11.15 a.m. when the team is released.
