Celtic host Hearts in the Scottish Premiership today knowing that a victory will give the Bhoys their first points lead over Rangers at the top of the table this season.
The Ibrox side drew 2-2 with Hibernian on Saturday, handing Celtic an opportunity to move two points ahead of them. However, Hearts have ambitions of their own and although their record at Celtic Park is poor, they can also send an early season message today with a performance of their own.
Ange Postecoglou has a strong squad available to him but what eleven will he field today? Here’s our best go at the XI…
Joe Hart will start in goal as always following a strong start to the season. He’s as popular as ever with supporters who recognise his intangible qualities as well as just some strong shot-stopping – as shown against Ross County.
Josip Juranovic and Greg Taylor are good candidates to start in the full-backs positions, having both been so crucial to the win at Rugby Park last week. Taylor deservedly won a man of the match award while the Croatian delivered his best display of the short campaign so far.
Central defence is where we may see one of today’s changes. Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh haven’t put a foot wrong in the opening matches but with Carl Starfelt returning to full fitness, today looks like a great opportunity to give him a needed start ahead of a busier schedule. Cameron Carter-Vickers looks certain to be the partner to whoever is chosen.
Callum McGregor is almost certain to captain the side. He’s as sure a thing in Ange’s elevens as Joe Hart is and will be given the responsibility to marshal Celtic’s midfield today.
Ahead of him, Matt O’Riley should feature but who he ends up alongside is up for debate. Reo Hatate is again available after picking up a knock on the opening day against Aberdeen and the smart money is on him coming in for David Turnbull.
With a front three of Daizen Maeda, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi ready to cause havoc yet again, with a bench full of gamechangers, the strength of talent today just should be too much for the visitors.
Three points please!
Your predicted XI in full is: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
