Celtic have the chance to immediately bounce back from a disappointing Thursday night with a match at home to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership today.
There’s no point stewing on a ‘sore one’, so to speak. Celtic have to get back on track and deliver the three points today in order to maintain a lead at the top of the table.
Ange Postecoglou is likely to go with another strong team against the Dees, who could be energised by the arrival of new manager Mark McGhee.
However, there is room to make a few changes that could give Celtic a fresh look and help us to victory. Here’s our predicted XI…
Celtic predicted team vs Dundee
Joe Hart will be between the sticks as always. I doubt that’s going to change between now and the end of the season except for injury. He’s not just our number one, he’s our cup ‘keeper too.
I expect a similar defence too, despite losing three goals. Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt all get a selection in this predicted team.
However, I have gone for a change at left-back with Liam Scales coming in for Greg Taylor. Taylor has been decent of late but badly struggled on Thursday. Today could be a good reminder from Postecoglou that there is competition for his place.
In midfield, I am hoping to see captain Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley and the return of Reo Hatate. Hatate’s omission on Thursday was a surprise for many but hopefully, it gives him the energy to produce a fine 90-minute display today.
Bear with me in the attack. My pick to start Jota on the right-hand side and Daizen Maeda on the left might look odd but I think it’s the right call today.
Maeda can get into dangerous areas like Liel Abada does, while Jota has the ability to work well with Juranovic on that right flank. It brings a freshness to the combinations after the team looked pretty flat on Thursday night and I think it can be effective.
Most of all it gives Giorgos Giakoumakis the space to come back into the team through the middle where he can be a disruptor of the Dundee defence.
Your predicted XI in full: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Jota, Maeda, Giakoumakis.
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