After two weeks of international football, we return to the domestic action this weekend. First up is a major tie in the East End of Glasgow. Here at Last Word on Football, we provide our Celtic predicted lineup for their clash against Hearts this Saturday, with options aplenty.
Celtic Predicted Lineup vs Hearts in SPL Tie
How Celtic have Lined Up Recently
There has been little change throughout the season. Kasper Schmeichel has played every minute in between the sticks so far. In front of him is a back four of Alistair Johnson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor. This quadrant has started every league game so far and has yet to concede a shot. Even more impressively, they have conceded just two big chances, when they were already 3-0 up against Rangers.
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In midfield, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor have started every game meanwhile Paulo Bernardo has aptly replaced Matt O’Riley. While up front there has been more rotation, although courtesy a couple of niggling injuries. Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn have all spent brief spells on the sidelines this season. James Forrest and Adam Idah have started, while Yang and Luis Palma have had minutes off the bench. However, Celtic’s favoured front three seems to be made up of the double Japanese contingent and the twenty four year old German.
Celtic’s Recent Form and Tactics
It’s been about as comprehensive as it gets so far this campaign. Four league games: four wins, 12 goals scored, none conceded, they truly look unstoppable. However, things in football can change in an instant and Brendan Rodgers will be reminding his squad of just that to guard from any complacency. You don’t sense that this is the type of group to suffer from a lack of concentration though.
Tactically most games have followed a similar pattern. The defending team sits in as tight as they can, Celtic start the game with a great pace and score early, and then they manage the match from a comfortable lead.
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Against Rangers though we saw tactical tweaks. Philippe Clement instructed his side to press the Hoops high up the park, going man for man.
The team adjusted well and played a counter attacking game early on, playing their front three in behind the opposition backline, a mismatch for pace. We also saw Bernardo play a deeper role than usual to allow for McGregor to get forward more often. The midfield dynamic has adapted, although it is no worse off.
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Moreover, with Luke McCowan and Arne Engels on the bench, there is an improved amount of depth.
Injuries to Consider
As far as injuries as concerned, the only scare was Johnson. The Canadian international was substituted early in an international friendly with the United States. However, it is believed that was a precautionary measure, with Johnson fit to play against the Jambos.
The only element that might throw a spanner in the works is rotation. Ahead of a mammoth clash against Slovan Bratislava next week in the opening game of the New Champions League format, Rodgers may look to wrap a couple of key players in cotton wool.
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After an international break though, it’s unlikely. The squad shouldn’t be suffering from fatigue at this point of the campaign. With a Premier Sports Cup tie against Falkirk next week, that is where we will likely see some changes.
If Celtic are winning with comfortably around the hour mark against Steven Naismith’s side, there will be game time for the likes of Idah, Engels and McCowan, before that though there are three points to be won.
Celtic Predicted Lineup
- Kasper Schmeichel
- Alastair Johnson,
- Cameron Carter-Vickers,
- Liam Scales,
- Greg Taylor,
- Callum McGregor,
- Reo Hatate,
- Paulo Bernardo,
- Nicolas Kuhn,
- Kyogo,
- Daizen Maeda
