CELTIC FANS OWED A BIG PERFORMANCE, CHANGES LIKELY FOR KILLIE
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Celtic will win the league; we all know that. It’s a question of when, not if it happens.
However, to coin an old Scottish phrase they need to “get the finger out!” and get the job done.
A win against Kilmarnock tomorrow will represent a big step forward in that regard. As I said last week, we may well be champions by Sunday night, if Aberdeen step up and help us out.
Time For Celtic to Give the Fans a Statement Display
Before we can even think about that though, Celtic need to get a win tomorrow. I think this game is about more than just three points though.
We need to make a statement. Celtic have been below par for a while now.
When we clinch the title, it will largely be due to what we accomplished before the new year, not since.
Indeed, we wouldn’t even be top of the League at the moment, had it started in January.
That honor would go to Hibs, one of the all too many teams who have taken points off Celtic since the end of December.
Brendan Rodgers was clearly angry after last week’s result.
Angry enough to basically come out and say that there will be changes to the team. What will those changes be, and who will drop out?
The team selection tomorrow will give us a number of hints as to the manager’s thinking, with regards to certain players’ application and attitude.
Obviously Viljami Sinisalo remains in goal. He has done absolutely nothing wrong since he came in. Indeed, as I’ve already said, I am very confident we have a future Celtic number one in the making with him.
The consensus among fans seems to be that Auston Trusty could maybe do with sitting out a game or two.
I would expect Liam Scales to come in if that happens. I also expect to see a rare start for Greg Taylor too, on the left.
The midfield is an interesting one. Both Engels and Hatate could, it’s argued, be dropped based on recent performance.
Paulo Bernardo would make a willing and capable replacement for either of them.
However, I think, when he’s on his game, Hatate probably offers more in terms of a goal threat, so if either makes way, I expect it to be Engels. I could be wrong though.
Another one who seems likely to be dropped is Nicholas Kuhn.
There’s no denying his ability, but the German winger’s form has absolutely dived off a cliff since the end of 2024. He needs to sit this one out in my opinion.
James Forrest showed plenty of promise when he came on last week and I expect him to answer the call once again.
Here’s hoping he gets that goal, to keep his annual scoring streak going.
Despite underperforming last weekend, neither Daizen Maeda nor Jota should have anything to worry about. I believe they will both start tomorrow.
Expect Yang and McCowan to also play some part in proceedings.
Hopefully Adam Idah too.
Personally, I still think we should try a 3-5-2 with Idah and Maeda together up front. But then again, that’s probably one of a multitude of reasons why I’m not the Celtic manager!
Predicted starting line-up: Sinisalo, Taylor, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Johnston, McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo, Forrest, Maeda, Jota.
Score prediction: Celtic to win 4-0, Forrest to score first.