Celtic travel to Dundee United on Saturday lunchtime looking to pick up the single point that will confirm them as 2024/25 Scottish Premiership champions.
If they do avoid defeat, it will be the fourth time Celtic have won the title at Tannadice in their history.
Per the pre-match team news, the only absentee from the Bhoys’ squad is Kasper Schmeichel, the Danish international remaining sidelined following a knock he picked up on international duty at the beginning of April.
With that in mind, Brendan Rodgers has announced two changes to the side that demolished St Johnstone 5-0 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, Celtic fans subsequently reacting on social media with their views.
Celtic XI to play Dundee United
The Celtic XI to face Dundee United is as follows:
- Starting XI: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor (c), Engels, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Jota
- Substitutes: Bain, Trusty, Idah, McCowan, Schlupp, Kenny, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston
Considering the level of Celtic’s performance last time out, it is somewhat surprising Rodgers has elected to make two changes.
Viljami Sinisalo will nonetheless continue to deputise for Schmeichel in goal, with a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor starting in front of him.
Captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engles will bring energy, endeavour and guile to the midfield.
However, Rodgers has mixed up his front three, electing to go with Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Jota. It means that James Forrest and Adam Idah drop down to the bench.
Celtic fans surprised to see Adam Idah and James Forrest miss out
Some Celtic fans were sad to see Idah miss out, questioning the striker’s replacements. One wrote: ‘Wouldn’t have changed a winning team. Kuhn has done nothing to merit a start and Maeda in the centre is not as effective for the team.’
Another added: ‘Didn’t expect that top three. Hope they [are] all on [their] game.’
After Forrest’s surprise inclusion against St Johnstone, Bhoys fans were also disappointed to see the winger drop down to the bench.
One fan wrote on social media: ‘No Forrest? Criminal! Brendan strikes again with the old pals act.’
His view was echoed by another fan who said: ‘Wouldn’t have dropped Forrest.’
Ultimately, however, with the chance to make even more history, Celtic fans were in a focused and bullish mood.
One wrote, ‘It’s time to crown the champions’, while another added, ‘Time to become the most successful league side in the country.’
In a very short while, Rodgers’ side may just achieve that feat.
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