Predicted Celtic XI To Face Partick Thistle
It’ll be party time at Celtic Park on Wednesday, as the hosts’ 5-0 win at Hearts on Sunday confirmed another Scottish Premiership title.
Partick Thistle are the opposition this time and with the league title secured, as well as their Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers still three weeks away, Celtic will play with freedom and will want to come up with another big result to entertain the crowd.
Probable Starting XI:
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
GK – Craig Gordon
Enjoying his renaissance, the former Hearts ‘keeper has had a fine season and will not want to be rested for this game.
RB – Mikael Lustig
The Swede is likely to continue at right-back, though he was replaced by Cristian Gamboa with ten minutes remaining in the game against Hearts.
CB – Jozo Simunovic
The 22-year-old is coming along nicely and can retain his place alongside Boyata in the heart of the defence.
CB – Dedryck Boyata
The former Man City defender can carry on at centre-half in what would be his 12th league game of the season. The Belgian’s progression has somewhat stalled, but he retains plenty of ability.
LB – Kieran Tierney
Another player who is expected to move on quite soon. The talented attacking left-back has been looked after by Brendan Rodgers and has played just 18 league games. But he should be picked this time.
CM – Stuart Armstrong
His importance to this Celtic side can’t be underestimated and his 12 goals in 24 league games this season is a record most strikers would be proud of. He will start.
CM – Scott Brown
Captain Brown is inspirational for Celtic and will once again anchor his midfield. There are maybe a few goals missing from his game these days but he remains solid in the middle of the park.
CM– Callum McGregor
The local boy, a product of Celtic’s academy, will start again in the midfield trio.
RW – James Forrest
There may be a slight re-jig of the front three, with Forrest taking up a position on the right and looking to use his pace to provide chances for hat-trick hero Scott Sinclair.
ST – Scott Sinclair
Capable of playing anywhere across the front line, Sinclair might be utilised as Celtic’s main goal-scoring threat this time around.
LW – Gary Mackay-Steven
Brought on for Patrick Roberts at the weekend, the former Dundee United attacker is without a goal this season and will be desperately hoping to break his duck if given the chance.