Charlie Mulgrew names Celtic XI for St Mirren, including player he ‘didn’t think I would be starting’

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The talk is over because the new season is upon us as Celtic look to defend another Premiership title.

Celtic host St Mirren on Flag Day, on August 3, with Brendan Rodgers pencilling in the final details as to who will start proceedings against Stephen Robinson’s side.

In some cases, there are obvious starters, such as captain Callum McGregor, the exuberant talent of Reo Hatate, the ever-consistent Alistair Johnston, the returning Kieran Tierney and the PFA Player of the Year Daizen Maeda.

All of those players are starting for Charlie Mulgrew against St Mirren, but the former defender has thrown in a surprise name into the hat.

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Charlie Mulgrew picks Hyunjun Yang to start for Celtic against St Mirren

There are suggestions that Hyunjun Yang could leave Celtic this summer, amid interest from English Championship side Norwich City.

But for Mulgrew, he is starting the South Korean international on Sunday, even though he ‘didn’t think I would be starting Yang a few weeks ago’, as he told Go Radio.

“I have got my Celtic team here,” said Mulgrew. “Kasper Schmeichel. Johnston. Carter-Vickers. Scales. Tierney. McGregor. Hatate. Nygren. Yang. Idah. Maeda.

“No, (I didn’t think I would be starting with Yang a few weeks ago). It’s either Yang or James Forrest. I just think he (Rodgers) will bring Jamesy more on as an impact player, so that’s the options”

Benjamin Nygren ‘surprise’ ahead of Celtic’s opening game

One positive to come out of the transfer window is the signing of Benjamin Nygren from FC Nordsjælland, and he has already made his mark in pre-season.

The 24-year-old has put in some solid displays, and it already looks as though he is ready to be thrown into the deep end.

But as Mulgrew stated, he could see Nygren playing as a number eight, even though he thought the Swedish star was a winger.

“In an ideal world, he would maybe put Maeda in as a striker, and have Nygren wide,” added Mulgrew. “But he has done well in the eight position.

“The fact that he has been playing there tells you that he sees him as a number eight midfielder, which is surprising. I thought he was a winger, but it can change.”