Just seven games remain for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership season, starting with a huge trip to face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.
This is the part of the campaign that defines the success or failure of any given season. There’s no doubt that Celtic haven’t been as dominant this term compared to last, but there’s still time to deliver the joy that supporters crave.
Importantly, Brendan Rodgers is getting key players back to full fitness after injury and that could play a big role in how this final block of games pans out.
Reo Hatate is already back in action while both Callum McGregor and Luis Palma are expected to be available for selection shortly.
It prompts the question – what is the strongest Celtic XI for this title run-in? Who should be relied upon with the pressure mounting and each point becoming even more precious?
Celtic’s strongest XI
Joe Hart is undoubtedly the number-one choice in goal. He has the added motivation of trying to go out on top after announcing his retirement and it would be very sweet to see him lift one final bit of silverware.
Celtic’s full-backs almost pick themselves these days. You could argue that’s due to a lack of real competition but Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor will be key performers during this run of games.
When playing well, they can be difference-makers – not only as direct threats in the opposition half but also in transition when defending against counter-attacks. We need them on top form.
The return of Cameron Carter-Vickers has been a big boost to Celtic. On Sunday, the Bhoys kept their first league clean sheet since January and we definitely need more of that. The United States international gives Celtic a more aggressive edge and allows the team to push further up the park.
Liam Scales has his critics but of the options currently available he is the best to go with in this final stretch. Neither Gustaf Lagerbielke nor Maik Nawrocki have managed to convince Rodgers and, alongside Carter-Vickers, Scales should be functional enough to get the job done.
In midfield, there’s a trio that is ahead of the rest. Getting all of them fit and on the pitch at the same time would be fantastic.
Tomoki Iwata looks strong in that holding midfield role but the return of captain Callum McGregor is a must for this period. Alongside Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, Celtic would have a flexible midfield three capable of besting all challengers in Scotland.
Iwata and Paulo Bernardo’s presence as substitute options starts to give the Bhoys a strong-looking bench, too, something that could also be reflected in attacking positions.
Luis Palma has played the majority of games this season and Hyunjun Yang has looked sharp on occasion but, right now, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn look the strongest options in those wing areas to help break down defences.
Maeda has unique attributes that puzzle the opposition while Kuhn is impressing week after week now that he’s built himself back up to full fitness following illness around the time of his arrival.
Yang and Palma are solid substitute options. Even if they are not starting, they will get plenty of minutes in the second half of matches.
In the striker position, for me, Kyogo Furuhashi is the main man. Adam Idah’s contribution has been welcome and he does offer a different threat in the box, if needed. But if Celtic are truly going to go on a winning run here then it’s necessary to get the best out of Kyogo, who remains the most exciting talent in Scotland when on top form.
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