Yet another match and yet another win for the rejuvenated Celts against St Johnstone on Wednesday night.
There wasn’t much to like about the first-half performance. The Hoops were largely flat, and just weren’t direct enough in their approach play.
Fortunately, however, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie stepped up by using the space to full effect. After that, the free-flowing football we’ve come to know and love under Brendan Rodgers took over. You can see the highlights of that one here.
It swept us six points clear, even if the scoreline could’ve easily been more emphatic. And the Hoops will look to make it five out of five when they take the short trip to Perth to face Saints once again on Sunday.
But who will start in this one after not many let themselves down on Wednesday?
Well, Scott Bain just continues to do no wrong. But he also isn’t really being asked to do anything. Saints didn’t trouble him in any capacity, just like Accies and St Mirren failed to before them. It actually feels as though Bain hasn’t had to make a decent save since the incredible flurry of stops against Airdrieonians. He’s surely going to keep his place regardless.
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Jeremy Toljan has signed for Celtic after a late announcement by the club last night. Despite that, we’re still going to predict that Mikael Lustig starts the contest given how quickly the game comes up on us.
Emilio Izaguirre will undoubtedly start at left-back due to a shortage of cover, whilst Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic will likely be given their first real test at McDiarmid Park together.
Broony’s the man of the moment
Captain Silverware was one of the heroes of the day yesterday. He secured a new two-year extension and shrugged off those pesky Australians who tried to nab him. In all seriousness, Western Melbourne were dead serious on getting him, so it’s great to see he knocked them back. He’s surely likely to partner goal hero Callum McGregor (who now has two in two) just behind the attack.
On the right, James Forrest had a troubling time against Saints on Wednesday. But it’s hard to ignore the fact he scored four on his last visit to this ground. Brendan Rodgers has played him 38 times this season, and he’ll be likely to start yet again.
Tom Rogic could come back into contention. Rodgers confirmed on Celtic TV that Rogic would be considered for Sunday. Despite Celtic’s rampant early form to the second half of the campaign, we always miss big Tam’s inventiveness. Given Christie’s goal against Saints earlier this week, however, it would be harsh to drop him. Tam to come on from the bench.
Scott Sinclair didn’t score against Tommy Wright’s men, but seven goals in six games is hard to ignore. He’ll keep his place, of that there’s no real doubt.
Up top, however, we’re going to go with Odsonne Edouard over Oli Burke. Burke was great against Saints on Wednesday, and went through plenty of hard work trying to work through a packed defence. But Eddy looked sensational during his cameo, and he deserves a chance to show what he can do.
If necessary, Timothy Weah and Burke are always available from the bench.
Here’s that full XI in list form: