Manager Brendan Rodgers has named his starting line-up to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie in today’s Scottish Premiership encounter.
The full match squad is as follows:
Starting XI – Hart, Johnston, Nawrocki, Scales, Bernabei, McGregor, O’Riley, Bernardo, Abada, Palma, Kyogo.
Substitutes – Bain, Kuhn, Idah, Holm, Vata, Kelly, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh.
The Hoops have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the pile to eight points if they can see victory over the line this lunchtime, with kick-off commencing at 12.30 p.m.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is the most notable absentee today after Rodgers confirmed that the United States international is set to spend ‘around three weeks’ on the sidelines.
Tomoki Iwata is closing in on a return to contention and has recently been involved in full contact training; however, the 26-year-old will be unavailable to face the Dons.
Hyeongyu Oh and Yang Hyun-jun are still on AFC Asian Cup duty and will be absent for a while longer due to South Korea progressing to the semi-final.
Daizen Maeda is in the same boat with Japan along with Reo Hatate, though the latter has run into a calf issue that will keep him out for between five to six weeks.
Broadcast details
Aberdeen vs Celtic will be available to watch on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage beginning at 11.30 pm.
Those without a subscription to Sky Sports can catch all the action by purchasing a NOW TV Day Membership, which will cost a one-off payment of £11.99.
Celtic TV will be showing the clash to viewers outside of the UK and Ireland, providing they have an international subscription package.
LiveSoccerTV has a full list of broadcasters who will be screening the match across every corner of the world.
BBC Radio Sportsound will also provide minute-by-minute radio coverage for fans who are unable to access the fixture on TV.
Instant verdict on Celtic team vs Aberdeen
In what will be billed as a win-or-bust game for Celtic, the news that Carter-Vickers isn’t available will come as a major blow to Rodgers’ men.
Nevertheless, there is more than enough throughout the side today to claim three points despite Pittodrie being a traditionally difficult venue to navigate.
Hatate’s latest absence will also come as a frustration to supporters, though Paulo Bernardo is more than capable of stepping into his shoes and continuing his newly-found status as a lynchpin in midfield.
Liam Scales will be charged with holding the fort in defence at a ground that he will know extremely well, given he spent time on loan at Pittodrie last term.
His compatriot Adam Idah will hope to announce himself in style should he be given an opportunity to impress off the bench.
Alexandro Bernabei begins at left-back, as expected, following his rare start against Ross County last weekend.
Hopefully, the Bhoys can gain a hold of the game in the early stages and go on and claim all three points to aid their push for a third Scottish top-flight crown in a row.
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