ANGE POSTECOGLOU warned that he’d be making changes to the Celtic team after the display against Livingston midweek.
The front three weren’t as effective as the manager had hoped, despite Abada starring on the wing. Kyogo got his goal and chipped in defensively, but he didn’t contribute too much apart from that. Jota wasn’t at his best, either. Will he be made to pay on Christmas Eve?
Hart will keep his place between the sticks; there’s no doubting that.
Postecoglou will look to keep the same back four of Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt and Taylor. However, if Ralston isn’t deemed fit, I expect Taylor to move to the other side of the pitch and Bernabei to start on the left.
It’ll be the same midfield trio, despite Hatate’s uninspiring midweek performance. Callum Mcgregor will lead the team, with O’Riley and Hatate playing further up the pitch.
The from three is where I expect Postecoglou to make a big, big call. I think Haksabanovic will be in from the start and will take Jota’s place. I think Ange will stick with Kyogo after he netted his fourth goal in five games against Livingston. On the right, it’s tough, but I don’t think Jota will start out of position and will start on the bench. This means it’ll either be Maeda, Forrest or Abada and going off the performance midweek; the Israeli winger has to keep his position.
I don’t think Giakoumakis did himself any favours when he was brought on midweek, although he wasted granted much game time.
The manager has some big calls to make for the match as he tries to solve Celtic’s problem in front of the goal.
