Celtic team news vs Aberdeen confirmed as fans react to player being ‘harshly’ dropped

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Celtic are in action at Pittodrie this evening as they look to take a further step ahead of their closest title rivals.

Aberdeen remain four points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side following their brilliant start to the season under manager Jimmy Thelin.

The Dons are also seven clear of Rangers who have flopped thus far in third but it is set to be one of the tougher tests for Celts in the Granite City.

Celtic are in fine form and are unbeaten in Scottish Premiership action with their only slip coming against Aberdeen back in mid-October at Parkhead in a 2-2 draw.

• Celtic starting XI: SCHMEICHEL, JOHNSTON, CCV, TRUSTY, VALLE, MCGREGOR, BERNARDO, HATATE, KUHN, MAEDA, KYOGO.
• Subs: SINISALO, TAYLOR, SCALES, IDAH, YANG, MCCOWAN, ENGELS, FORREST, RALSTON.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo had given their side what looked like a comfortable lead that day but they threw two points away with a disappointing second-half showing.

Rodgers has had to be creative with his selections this campaign as he juggles Champions League competition with the domestic football and his rotation calls have, for the most part, worked out well.

And this evening the 51-year-old has tweaked his starting XI once again from their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge on the European stage last week.

It comes fresh off the back of a hammering of Ross County – 5-0 – at home on Saturday afternoon which also solidified life at the top.

Some of Rodgers’ decisions have been questioned for this evening’s big 90 minutes and fans have had their say on the personnel chosen.

With Alex Valle starting ahead of Greg Taylor – as well as Bernardo over Engels – those were two contentious spots for the boss.

And fans have been left pleased with the Portuguese midfielder’s inclusion.

One supporter wrote: “Bernardo is the right call,” as another commented: “Bernardo and Valle” with applause emojis.

Others were disappointed that man of the match vs County, Luke McCowan, was not picked.

One moaned: “I don’t understand dropping McCowan,” as one said: “McCowan didn’t deserve to be dropped.”