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Gary Mackay-Steven To Start – Strongest 4-3-3 Celtic Line-Up To Face Partick Thistle

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Celtic

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.