Brendan Rodgers announces Celtic starting XI vs Dundee, Alistair Johnston decision confirmed

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Brendan Rodgers has announced his Celtic starting lineup that will face Dundee with a decision made on Alistair Johnston.

The Celtic manager will be looking to close the gap to Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to two points with a win in Tayside.

Alistair Johnston returned to training this week as the Celtic defender appears to be making a quick recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered against Kairat Almaty at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Johnston’s return to training had the Celtic boss ‘hopeful’ that the Canadian could play against Dundee and now, that decision has been made.

• READ MORE: Jim Goodwin’s claim about the Scottish Premiership’s strength as Rangers flounder and Celtic & Hearts battle

Alistair Johnston misses out as Anthony Ralston starts for Celtic vs Dundee

Johnston is not the matchday squad this afternoon as Celtic travel to Dundee as the Canadian misses out.

Here is the full Celtic starting XI and bench for the big game at Dens Park:

• Celtic starting XI: Schmeichel, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, McGregor (c), Hatate, Nygren, Yang, Tounekti, Iheanacho
• Substitutes: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, McCowan, Kenny, Engels, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan

Clearly not ready to start, Rodgers is taking no chances with the Canadian defender. Hyunjun Yang gets a rare start as Sebastian Tounekti’s injury scare at Tunisia appears to be over.

Celtic’s results since Alistair Johnston’s injury

Celtic are still unbeaten domestically this season but have suffered a defeat in Europe.

So how has Brendan Rodgers’ side fared since the Canadian’s absence from the first team? Here is a full list of results:

• Champions League: Kairat Almaty 0 v 0 Celtic (Almaty win 3-2 on penalties)
• Celtic 3 v 0 Livingston
• Rangers 0 v 0 Celtic
• Kilmarnock 1 v 2 Celtic
• Premier Sports Cup: Partick Thistle 0 v 4 Celtic
• Europa League: Red Star Belgrade 1 v 1 Celtic
• Celtic 0 v 0 Hibs
• Europa League: Celtic 0 v 2 SC Braga
• Celtic 3 v 2 Motherwell

Whilst the results domestically have been fine, Europe has been poor without Johnston in the team. Now that the Canadian is back in the squad, hopefully Celtic’s attacking threat will be boosted by the dynamic fullback.