Celtic have established a commanding nine-point lead over Rangers at the Scottish Premiership summit and victory over their arch rivals at Parkhead on Saturday could effectively secure the title for Ange Postecoglou’s reigning champions.
The Hoops have been utterly relentless in their pursuit for back-to-back league crowns and remain on course to complete a clean sweep of trophies this season with a Scottish Cup semi-final showdown against the Light Blues also on the horizon.
Postecoglou has built a strong squad and his starting eleven has been fairly consistent this season with just a few minor tweaks here and there when necessary. However, the Australian faces a couple of big decisions this weekend as he could potentially be without at least two key midfield enforcers for this game.
Japanese star Reo Hatate - a candidate for player of the year - was rated “touch and go” on Thursday but has now been ruled out on the eve of the Old Firm clash, while Aaron Mooy has been a crucial figure in the Hoops side since the turn of the year. Postecoglou will want, at least, one of the dynamic duo available tomorrow but Tomoki Iwata’s performance in the 2-0 victory over Ross County has presented him with a further headache.
Hatate was absent from the club’s selection training images posted on social media earlier this week, but Mooy was back in full training after missing the trip to Dingwall last Saturday. Matt O’Riley could also be in contention to start once again, while left-back Greg Taylor has managed to shake off a knock, despite Alexandro Bernabei replacing him and scoring in the highlands.
With Israeli winger Liel Abada will also be missing, it’s hard to see Postecoglou tinkering with his forward line at the moment on current form.
Here, we predict how Celtic will line-up against Michael Beale’s side at Parkhead...
5. Greg Taylor - LB
Got forward with great effect in the highlands before limping off injured to receive treatment after 65 minutes. A vital figure who has mastered the inverted full-back role. | SNS Group
6. Tomoki Iwata - CDM
Last season’s J-League player of the year was handed his first start in Dingwall and he earned warm praise from his manager. If Hatate fails to recover from injury, expect his compatriot to retain his place. | SNS Group
7. Callum McGregor - CM
Strolled through 180 minutes of football for Scotland during the international break and put in another commanding performance against the Staggies. A hugely important member of the team. | SNS Group
8. Aaron Mooy - CM
Sat out of the trip to the highlands last Saturday through injury but returned to training at Lennoxtown earlier this week. The Australian has been in excellent form of late and would be hard to keep out of the line-up. | SNS Group