One big change, striking call; Celtic Predicted XI vs Livingston

By John McGinley

December 21, 2022

Celtic play their 17th game of the Scottish Premiership season tonight, looking to make it 48 points from 51 available at the top of the table.

The Bhoys currently sit six points ahead of Rangers after a win for the Ibrox side away to Aberdeen last night, but are red-hot favourites to extend that back to nine against Livingston this evening.

Manager Ange Postecoglou’s squad is mostly injury free with only Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy absent right now – but what eleven will he go for? Here’s our take on a potential eleven tonight…

Joe Hart is very likely to be between the sticks tonight, as he almost always is when fit and available.

An unchanged back for of Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor is expected with Celtic’s new recruits unable to play until January and Josip Juranovic still recovering from the World Cup.

A midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley would also be no surprise, although David Turnbull is also in with a shout of featuring.

In attack is where the only change from the weekend victory may come with Liel Abada coming in to play alongside Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi, in place of Daizen Maeda.

Abada was in dynamite form coming on at half-time in Aberdeen and has earned an opportunity to feature from the start.

Postecoglou also has attacking talent such as Giorgos Giakoumakis, Sead Haksabanovic and James Forrest ready to play, none of whom would be much of a surprise to see in the starting eleven.

It’s almost guaranteed to be a strong team regardless, with a dangerous bench ready to come into the match and make an impact. Three points please!

Your predicted XI in full: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Abada, Jota, Kyogo.

In other news, “Big future”; SPFL boss talks up Celtic loan success as he refuses to rule out extension.