The final international break for four months has ended, with an ultra-marathon of club football waiting. For Celtic, the first challenge is a trip to Tynecastle to face Neil Critchley’s Heart of Midlothian. In general, they have excelled in the capital. Still, they will have a sour taste after controversial referee decisions made life difficult in a 1-0 loss against the Jambos earlier this year. Here at Last Word on Football, we provide our Celtic predicted lineup for a Saturday night under the lights.
Celtic Predicted Lineup vs. Hearts
How Celtic have Lined up Recently
After the highs of a 3-1 victory over Leipzig, Celtic travelled to face a well-organised Kilmarnock side. The visitors had to be resilient in defence as they faced the most shots since Brendan Rodgers returned to the club.
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Kasper Schmeichel started in goals with Alistair Johnson, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor completing a back four. Cameron Carter-Vickers sat the game out as predicted, with the American being nursed from potential injury.
Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels formed a routine midfield three with Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda in front.
Celtic’s Recent Form and Tactics
Celtic’s 2-0 victory away to Kilmarnock was their fifth win in a row and a continuation of their invincible start to the domestic season. Yet, they didn’t have it all their own way.
Idah struggled up front, with his hold-up play – or lack of it – frustrating at times. With Kilmarnock’s man-marking system, duels are so important. Due to his inconsistency, Celtic couldn’t play directly. Building through the middle of the park also proved a struggle with the sticky AstroTurf surface slowing the pace of the game. Moreover, the midfield failed to rotate and make their markers uncomfortable.
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Off the ball, they were stretched at times which allowed the home side to create some chances. However, the individual quality of the hoops showed through.
Schmeichel reeled off save after save, meanwhile a moment of individual brilliance from Kuhn set the away fans into a frenzy.
Celtic used their substitutions to inject a bit of life into the game.
Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and Kyogo all looked bright,
Injuries to Consider
Just Odin Thiago Holm remains sidelined with a minor calf injury. Truthfully though, he won’t have been in Rodgers’ plans anyway.
Celtic Predicted Lineup
The Champions will go full strength ahead of a midweek tie against Club Brugge. Should they find themselves in a comfortable position around the hour mark expect a series of changes:
Kasper Schmeichel
Alistair Johnson
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Auston Trusty
Greg Taylor
Callum McGregor
Reo Hatate
Arne Engels
Nicolas Kuhn
Kyogo
Daizen Maeda
