Celtic told Yang ‘isn’t a starter’ as ‘surprising’ name put forward to replace Nicolas Kuhn vs Kilmarnock

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Expect changes for Celtic’s home clash against Kilmarnock on Saturday lunchtime.

In some cases, it’s pretty obvious who isn’t going to start, as one of the main talking points from Celtic’s defeat to St Johnstone has been Nicolas Kuhn.

Up until December, Kuhn was flying high, and even possibly proving to be the first name on Brendan Rodgers’ teamsheet.

But now, he will be lucky to keep his place in the XI for the visit of Derek McIness’ Kilmarnock team, who are looking over their shoulder and at the relegtion battle.

But if Kuhn is dropped, who should replace the 25-year-old? The obvious name would be back-up winger, Hyunjun Yang.

However, Peter Grant put forward another way the Celtic manager could go about things at the weekend.

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Luke McCowan backed to replace Nicolas Kuhn for Celtic’s clash against Kilmarnock

Luke McCowan has impressed many since joining Celtic in the summer, but he hasn’t been able to earn regular minutes in the middle of the park.

But Grant would like to see McCowan start out wide against Killie because of the ‘attacking prowess’ in his game, as he told Go Radio.

Grant admitted that it would be ‘surprising’ for the opposition, but he just doesn’t feel someone like Yang is ready to start matches for the champions-elect.

“The biggest thing for me, I am not sure Yang is a starter,” said Grant. “That’s my opinion, at this moment in time. He has done really well when he has come on as a sub.

“I would, as I said, maybe a Luke McCowan, who looks forward, and I know it’s not a natural position for him. But he has got that left foot. He looks forward with his passes. He gets in the box, and he has a goal threat. He has never let Celtic down.

“I know it’s an extra central midfielder, but I think he has got that attacking prowess that can still have an effect. It’s something different, especially if Kilmarnock go with three.

“It would be surprising, because they will be thinking ‘they will play a wide player and we will put him up against a wing-back’. The teams that have done that. St Johnstone did at the weekend. Rangers have done it, and both have been successful at it. That’s why you have to ask different questions.”

McCowan’s stats for Celtic this season

At the age of 27, McCowan is living his dream because he is playing for his boyhood club, and he is on his way to winning his first Premiership title.

Given the sheet competition at Celtic, the all-action midfielder has made a number of appearances from the bench.

But despite the lack of regular starts, McCowan has still recorded strong numbers in his debut campaign at Celtic Park, with WhoScored rating his Premiership displays at 6.83.