Brendan Rodgers is looking to sign off on 2024 in style with another win in the Scottish Premiership as Celtic take on St Johnstone at Parkhead.
The Hoops boss has named his starting lineup for the game and it is nowhere near the predicted Celtic XI 67 Hail Hail guessed at earlier this week.
The team is as follows:
Starting XI: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle, Engels, Bernardo, Hatate, Yang, Kuhn, Kyogo
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Taylor, Trusty, Palma, Idah, McCowan, Maeda, McGregor, Ralston
Rodgers will be hoping to record his 16th win in the league and to increase or maintain his 12-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
With the ever-reliable Kasper Schmeichel in goal, Celtic fans will be hoping that the big Dane recording no saves against Motherwell because the Fir Park side had no shots on target will continue today.
Greg Taylor appears to be getting rested alongside Auston Trusty ahead of the Rangers game with Rodgers pitching a midfield trio of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate. Celtic captain, Callum McGregor gets a much-needed rest.
One change up front as Daizen Maeda drops out for Celtic in place of Nicolas Kuhn as the German winger gets his match fitness up to speed for the New Year trip to Ibrox and Yang gets the nod to start again.
Celtic fans pleased for Callum McGregor, Alex Valle and Alistair Johnston vs St Johnstone
Callum McGregor dropping to the bench has some Celtic fans feeling a bit wary as the captain takes a breather ahead of the big Glasgow Derby on the 2nd of January.
The 31-year-old has hardly missed a game this season but Brendan Rodgers clearly feels this game is winable without his leader on the pitch.
One fan said, “Is McGregor getting a rest?” as another posted, “Big call with no McGregor. Everything came from him the other night. Let’s get this done.”
Another Celtic fan commented:
Cameron Carter-Vickers is the captain for today.
Celtic fans delighted to see Alex Valle and Alistair Johnston start vs St Johnstone
The other two notable changes are the return of Alistair Johnston to the Celtic starting lineup and young Alex Valle getting the nod.
Johnston returning from injury has pleased the Hoops support as one fan said, “Johnston is back, bosh!” and another said, “Thought Ralston would continue.”
As for Valle, the return of the young Spanish left-back was lauded, “VALLE HAS BEEN FREED!” said one Celtic fan as another applauded, “Valle starts for once!”
Celtic fans will be looking to get all three points to end the year on a high and keep the pressure on Rangers who travel to Motherwell.
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