Celtic’s game against Hearts on Wednesday night has to go down as one of the most important of the season so far. A win for the Hoops at Tynecastle would put the side five points clear of Rangers, and put the Ibrox side under huge pressure ahead of their match against Hibs on Friday.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon won’t be fooled by how poor Hearts have been playing recently. He will know that the Hoops will need to be at their best to win at Tynecastle. It should be remembered that Celtic needed a last minute winner to achieve a 2-1 win against Hearts in Lennon’s first match as Celtic caretaker.
Therefore, you would expect the Hoops to be at their strongest against Hearts. Here, we predict who Neil Lennon will select as Celtic aim to go five points clear at the top:
In goals, there is only one option – Fraser Forster. The only way he won’t be selected for the Hoops will be if he picks up an injury. Jeremie Frimpong starred in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Hibs, expected him to keep his place in the side at right-back.
More defensive game will suit deadline day arrival
At left-back, we are predicting a change from Sunday. Deadline day signing Greg Taylor will get the nod over Boli Bolingoli. The reason for that, the Hoops might want to play a tad more defensively at a difficult away fixture. That could suit Taylor’s game more than Bolingoli.
Centre-back should see the usual duo of Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer keep their place in the side. In midfield, the pair of Scott Brown and Callum McGregor will be key to helping the Hoops control the midfield.
Further ahead in the attacking midfield role, Ryan Christie, Celtic’s talisman, should make his return to the side after missing out against Hibs. He will be hoping to add to his goal tally for the season, and you wouldn’t bet against it happening.
Too much of a goal threat to leave out
On the left, James Forrest hasn’t been in the best of form recently, but he is too much of a goal threat to leave out, but will have to switch positions. As on the right, we believe that Lewis Morgan will start, as he is a favourite of Neil Lennon. Up front, there is only one option – Odsonne Edouard. That team should be more than good enough to pick up the three points, although it won’t be easy.
As always, here is the team in list form:
GK – Fraser Forster
RB – Jeremie Frimpong
CB – Christopher Jullien
CB – Kristoffer Ajer
LB – Greg Taylor
CM – Scott Brown
CM – Callum McGregor
RW – Lewis Morgan
AM – Ryan Christie
LW – James Forrest
ST – Odsonne Edouard
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