Celtic will be looking for a reaction following Brendan Rodgers’ half-time fury at McDiarmid Park when they welcome the visit of Nick Montgomery’s Hibernian side this evening.
The Hibees currently sit fifth in the Scottish Premiership and will be hoping to line-up against the Celtic side that played the first-half in Perth rather than the team that lined up for the second.
It was the changes made that really sparked a reaction out of the Celtic team against St Johnstone, and that will definitely influence the managers’ state of mind when he announces his team selection for tonight’s fixture.
GK – Joe Hart
The English stopper didn’t cover himself in glory for St Johnstone’s opener at the weekend as he was too easily crowded out from the set-piece and should have better commanded his area. He kept a clean sheet in a draw with the Hibees earlier in the season and will be looking for the same tonight.
RB – Alistair Johnston
Johnston didn’t put much of a foot wrong at the weekend and will be looking for a top performance tonight after being withdrawn last time out against Hibernian due to a potential concussion.
CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers
The American was solid on Sunday and will be looking to keep a clean sheet against Hibernian.
CB – Liam Scales
Scales will be hoping for a bit more influence with more time on the ball tonight as he seeks to contribute to Celtic’s attacking play with his excellent passing range as well as defending well.
LB – Greg Taylor
Much like the aforementioned Scales, Taylor didn’t have as much involvement at McDiarmid Park as he would have liked and hopefully the heightened speculation surrounding a potential new left-back signing can spur him on for a strong performance tonight.
The Dane was one of the Celts who demonstrated the raise in quality and intensity in the second-half display against the Saints and will be hoping he can demonstrate that same quality from the offing against Hibs rather than requiring a raging reaction from the manager to bring it out of him.
CM – Tomoki Iwata
For a good few months now fans have been wondering when Tomoki Iwata will be afforded a starting opportunity at Celtic, and it seems like it might finally have presented itself following an assist at the weekend as well as the manager hinting towards him being close to a start.
CM – Callum McGregor
The Captain scored the goal that dragged Celtic back into the game at the weekend and will be hoping to have the team up for the fight from the very start this evening.
RW – Mikey Johnston
The Irishman impressed in his appearances from the bench last week and may have earned himself a starting opportunity tonight due to his efforts. He demonstrated the energy and drive that others just weren’t showing and Rodgers will have definitely taken notice.
ST – Kyogo Furuhashi
The Japanese forward has just one goal in his last eight games in all competitions and will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet today.
LW – Luis Palma
Palma will be hoping to provide better service for Kyogo Furuhashi as Rodgers confirmed that the apparent injury the Honduran suffered at the weekend was nothing more than cramp.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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