In a busy period of on and off-pitch drama, and with Livingston ahead, it’s been easy to forget the options Celtic have, and don’t have at their disposal.
At the back, things are looking more robust. We’ve got Adam Montgomery and Liam Scales to choose from in Greg Taylor’s absence. Any of Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh are solid options at centre-back. Ralston and Juranovic are duking it out to play on the right.
Then in midfield, Postecoglou can choose between the likes of Nir Bitton, potentially Callum McGregor, Ismaila Soro, David Turnbull, Tom Rogic and some young talents like Ewan Henderson or Kerr McInroy.
But it’s up front where things are most exciting. On current form, and barring any late injury news, Celtic can unleash a front three of Jota, Liel Abada and Albian Ajeti.
Liel Abada, back from celebrating Yom Kippur, will surely be ready to go tomorrow. With a week’s break, the dynamic Israeli international forward can only build on a fantastic start to life at Celtic. In just 10 games, he’s scored 4 and set up 4 [Transfermarkt].
Jota, who’s been singing the praises of manager Ange Postecoglou, sounds desperate to keep going after an impressive first two games in the Green and White.
Celtic can take a big step under Ange tomorrow
Excitingly, the two can play on either wing. So, don’t be surprised to see interchanges between Jota and Abada tomorrow, depending on how the game’s going.
Then – and this shows how things are going at Celtic – the resurgent Albian Ajeti can get into positions to score goals. He’s netted 3 in his last 2. With neither Kyogo and Giakoumakis match fit at this point, it’s Ajeti’s position to lose.
Despite summer-time fears, Celtic are well-placed to blow Livingston away tomorrow
We’ve not even mentioned Karamoko Dembele, Mikey Johnston or James Forrest returning yet. Johnston could be in line to feature tomorrow, although the effects of a plastic surface could mean he misses out.
But when all three are back, as well as Kyogo, there are so many options for the Celtic boss. Tomorrow is exciting enough from that perspective; adding returning players over the next couple of months is tantalising.
From relying on Mohamed Elyounoussi and James Forrest, both of whom missed plenty of games last season, and worrying about Edouard and Griffiths departing, we have a genuinely impressive roster of attacking players.
Tomorrow alone, there are three guys in excellent form. David Martindale’s side are going to be up against it, regardless of the pitch and the conditions.
Celtic have a hoodoo to break tomorrow. At the Tony Macaroni, Celtic have struggled in recent seasons.
Tomorrow, with three top attacking talents raring to go, we could see our bad run come to an emphatic end.
In other news: Watch: Ex-Celtic man Olivier Ntcham’s sensational first goal for Swansea City