Brendan Rodgers needs a huge reaction from his team when they welcome the visit of Livingston to Celtic Park this afternoon.
With two consecutive league defeats on the board for the first time in a decade, frustration amongst supporters is growing as the gap at the top of the table continues to diminish.
Celtic need to get back to form fast, as the next Glasgow Derby looms, and there is no better opportunity to get back to winning ways than against a Livingston side on the downslide, having not managed a victory in their last nine games.
GK – Joe Hart
The English stopper didn’t cover himself in glory against Hearts for Stephen Kingsley’s free-kick, leaving far too much room for the set-piece specialist to aim at. He hasn’t kept a clean sheet in his last five league games, something he will be eager to rectify.
RB – Alistair Johnston
Johnston wasn’t at his best against Hearts last week, with some sloppy defending from the Canadian leading to Hearts’ opening goal. He will be looking to be a focal point of Celtic’s attack with an energetic display down the right-hand side.
CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers
The American’s return to the team couldn’t bring three points with it, but Carter-Vickers spoke in the media of the importance to bounce back and he will be looking to do just that with a solid display.
CB – Liam Scales
The Irish cap, along with Johnston, allowed Lawrence Shankland to ghost in completely unmarked for Hearts’ opener last week, but he was one of the only players to be given pass marks from the manager following the defeat.
LB – Greg Taylor
Taylor hasn’t had the best of seasons up to this point, but a lack of competition for places at left-back means his spot in the team is safe.
CM – Matt O’Riley
The Dane will be looking to have a positive influence on Celtic’s attacking play, something that has been lacking over the last few weeks.
CM – Callum McGregor
The captain was one of few players showing the initiative to get forward against Hearts and he will be looking to drive the team on to a victory this afternoon.
CM – Paulo Bernardo
After a poor performance from David Turnbull saw him hooked at half-time, expect the Benfica loanee to come into the side for this fixture as he is the best of the rest due to Tomoki Iwata’s injury.
RW – Daizen Maeda
The Japanese winger will finally return to the starting XI this weekend, and his pace and energy is very much needed in a Celtic attack that has looked lifeless over the last few weeks.
ST – Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo needs to break his goal-scoring duck soon with the derby looming, and the return of a familiar face in Maeda could help him to do just that.
LW – Luis Palma
The Honduran was fairly ineffective against Hearts last weekend, but his goalscoring quality is known and he will need to provide the finishing touch to help Celtic to victory against Livingston.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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