Celtic confirmed starting XI vs Dundee United: 4 changes from Old Firm agony as O'Neill makes bold calls
Martin O’Neill has named his starting line-up to face Dundee United in their latest Scottish Premiership clash at Parkhead
Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting XI to face Dundee United in this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership showdown at Parkhead (KO: 3pm BST).
The Hoops’ latest era under the Irishman begins with a home clash against Jim Goodwin’s Tangerines, who suffered Tayside derby disappointment at the hands of Dundee last weekend.
The reigning champions are also licking their wounds after their 3-1 Old Firm defeat to Rangers, which spelled the end of head coach Wilfried Nancy’s ill-fated 33-day reign.
Team news: 4 changes with key attacker back from AFCON
O’Neill has made FOUR changes to his Celtic team from the side that lost 3-1 at home to arch rivals Rangers at Parkhead last weekend, reverting to a back four.
AFC Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo comes in for his first start at right-back, with Liam Scales, Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti - back from AFCON duty - among the other replacements.
Anthony Ralston, Luke McCowan, Benjamin Nygren and Johnny Kenny drop to the bench, with Shin Yamada absent from the matchday squad.
What has Benjamin Nygren said pre-match?
Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren has provided an insight into how the past couple of days have been since club legend O’Neill returned as interim manager until the end of the season.
He said: “Martin has been here before and is respected and loved by everyone in and around the club. He knows the club so well and the standards required. He is a legend here and he knows what the demands are.
“We had him here not long ago so, as players, we’re just trying to get into it as fast as possible. It’s been looking good in training with good intensity, so I feel good.
“The defeat at Tannadice is in the past now and we know that we need to do better and we will do better. We have to win games.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of today’s league encounter in Glasgow’s east end...
Celtic XI:
Kasper Schmeichel; Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor (C), Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Yang Hyun-jun, Sebastian Tounekti, Daizen Maeda.
SUBS: Viljami Sinisalo (GK), Benjamin Nygren, Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny, Paulo Bernardo, Dane Murray, James Forrest, Colby Donovan, Anthony Ralston.
Dundee United XI:
Dave Richards; Vicko Sevelj, Ross Graham, Panutche Camara, Zac Sapsford, Will Ferry (C), Craig Sibbald, Luca Stephenson, Dario Naamo, Krisztián Keresztes, Owen Stirton.