Celtic predicted XI v Dundee: Fourth choice defender deployed amid injury woes as supersub starts
Here’s how we think Martin O’Neill will set up his starting XI in the City of Discovery
Celtic have some fresh injury issues to deal with for their upcoming clash with Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.
The defeat across the road a fortnight ago is still fresh in the memory of Martin O’Neill, who became the third Hoops manager of the season to lose in Dundee. Celtic have lost at Tannadice twice and Dens once already this season, as they now look break the Tayside curse on the final time of asking. Many Celtic stars featured during the international break meaning the majority of the side should be match fit and ready to go. However, the right back area has became a real issue for O’Neill with the two first choice options, Alistair Johnston and Julian Araujo, out while Colby Donovan’s fitness timeline remains unknown.
Celtic defeated Dundee by the skin of their teeth the last time the sides met in the Scottish Cup through a late equaliser from Junior Adamu and an extra time winner from Sebastian Tounekti. Steven Pressley’s side have turned a corner since then and are now starting to pick up some momentum as they try to distance themselves from the relegation dogfight. However, in their last outing, they narrowly lost out to league leaders Hearts. In what is a must-win for O’Neill’s Hoops, here’s how we think the Celtic boss will set up his side at Dens Park on Sunday as they search for their first win on Tayside soil:
Viljami Sinisalo
With Kasper Schmeichel now out of the picture, the coast is clear for the Finn to become the number one choice. Having started the last six between the sticks for the Hoops, so far he’s grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
Anthony Ralston
With Araujo and Johnston out, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Donovan, Ralston is the only recognised right back currently available. The experiences defender featured for Scotland in their 1-0 defeat to Japan, although he hasn’t started for Celtic since their defeat to Rangers at the start of the year.
Benjamin Arthur
While Celtic have looked shaky at the back in their recent outings, their Brentford loanee has been a steady figure at the heart of the defence. However, it will perhaps worry O’Neill how heavily reliant he is on the 20-year old, who has started their last four matches.
Liam Scales
Played 90 minutes for Republic of Ireland in their recent friendly with North Macedonia but wasn’t trusted in their World Cup play-off clash with Czechia. He and Auston Trusty are the two candidates for the left centre back role but Scales has been given the nod in recent weeks.
Kieran Tierney
Also featured on the international stage at a time when O’Neill will be praying he can keep the defender fit. He’s very rarely completed back-to-back 90 minutes this season so back-up Marcelo Saracchi is also expected to play a part.
Callum McGregor
Surprisingly taken off in the disaster at Tannadice on the hour mark although his minutes will need to be managed as he returns from his calf strain. If Celtic have any title hopes remaining, they’ll need their captain to be at his best.
Reo Hatate
The Japanese midfielder is expected to return to his preferred position after a brief spell at right back against Dundee United which backfired on O’Neill. His form has been inconsistent but recent history tells us he can be a match winner.
Benjamin Nygren
Celtic’s output machine was far from at his best at Tannadice but simply can’t be dropped because of his numbers alone. He’s bagged 15 goals and registered four assists from midfield this season and is just one goal behind the league’s top scorer, Tawanda Maswanhise. During the international break he helped Sweden qualify for the World Cup in their dramatic play-off final against Poland.
Yang Hyun-jun
You never know what you’re getting with the South Korea winger, who made a costly mistake leading to a goal in an international friendly with Ivory Coast during the break. However, his endless work rate could provide problems for the Dark Blues defence.
Daizen Maeda
Celtic’s issues at striker continue as January loanees Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka have all failed to hit the ground running. With that in mind, O’Neill may be forced start his Duracell bunny through the middle.
Sebastian Tounekti
Will be full of confidence after his first ever Tunisia goal against Haiti during the break. The last time Celtic faced Dundee, he saved them from the bench when he set up Adamu’s equaliser and bagged the winner. Perhaps now the ‘super-sub’ deserves a start.
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