The 4th Official
·09 de janeiro de 2025
The 4th Official
·09 de janeiro de 2025
Celtic are steadily marching towards yet another Premiership silverware, but their dream of being ‘invincibles’ was shattered when Old Firm rivals Rangers handed them a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox. While the Hoops bounced back with back-to-back home wins against St Mirren and Dundee United, Brendan Rodgers’ men must be cautious ahead of travelling to Dingwall to clash heads with Ross County.
The Staggies are struggling for survival at the wrong end of the league standings and have already been defeated twice by the Bhoys earlier this campaign. Although the Celts secured an emphatic 5-0 triumph at Parkhead, late goals from Alistair Johnston and Nicolas Kuhn helped them script a comeback and secure a win at Victoria Park back in October. Celtic must aim for a straightforward outcome this time around whereas the hosts should look to cause an upset on Saturday lunchtime.
Kasper Schmeichel has been Rodgers’ preferred ‘number 1’ over Scott Bain and Viljami Sinisalo since completing a Bosman transfer. The veteran Dane has lived up to the expectations so far with 17 clean sheets in 21 Premiership fixtures.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 08: Callum McGregor of Celtic acknowledges the fans following the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Alistair Johnston continues to be the first-choice right fullback ahead of Anthony Ralston. Also, the USMNT pair Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty must operate from the heart of the backline. Liam Scales has lost his place to Trusty, however, Greg Taylor has regained his starting status down the left despite Alex Valle’s impressive run of form during the Scotsman’s injury absence.
Celtic have ample options in the middle of the park, but the gaffer Callum McGregor remains irreplaceable as a deep-lying playmaker. Arne Engels has impressed as a box-to-box midfielder, also, Luke McCowan has replaced Reo Hatate since their derby defeat a week ago. Both Hatate and Paulo Bernardo might get involved as second-half substitutes. Forgotten Odin Thiago Holm is still nursing a calf injury which has kept him sidelined for months.
The Hoops have depth and quality across the frontline. But the manager has dropped Kyogo Furuhashi and handed a nod to Adam Idah since the Japanese’s below-par performance against Rangers. Daizen Maeda must operate from the left-hand flank and showcase his energy, work ethic and flair. James Forrest is sidelined with a foot injury, but the champions are blessed to have Kuhn who has been a revelation since his transfer a year back. Furuhashi, Hyun-Jun Yang and Luis Palma could be introduced from the bench as ‘super subs’.