CELTIC have a game against Livingston to negotiate before the Rangers game which is no way a freebie and must be treated with the utmost care and attention. Brendan Rodgers will have his team ready for the task next Sunday.
There are so many questions that will be answered before and after the Livingston came that will have a profound effect on the game at Ibrox.
With Celtic looking at Livingston, as fans we can take a look at the bigger picture and assess how the bhoys will look going into the Glasgow Derby in early April at Ibrox.
We’re looking at the best case scenario for the club in terms of squad going into the game against our fierce rivals.
Given what we know to this point, and we will no more by this time next week, what is Celtic’s tangible best case scenario starting XI for the derby?
Joe Hart in goals picks itself. A back line for out Johnston, CCV, Scales and Taylor is probably the strongest we can be at right now. CCV has been in and out of the team all season and after returning once again against St Johnstone before the international break, all eyes will be on the American to see if he can stay fit for the game. Otherwise Celtic are in a world of trouble.
Going into midfield, this is where it becomes very tricky. Knowing Reo Hatate has taken part in a bounce game, playing 45 minutes against St Mirren last week means a return should be just around the corner. We doubt the Japan star will play much or any of the Livingston game due to the surface, and then the questions becomes should Rodgers put him straight in against Rangers. If we want to play our best team possible then you would say, yes!
There’s also doubts over Callum McGregor’s injury and if the club can manage him until the end of the campaign. There’s no doubt if he’s fit enough he should be in the team.
That leaves Matt O’Riley as the third man in midfield. Going into the game weeks away with question marks over two of your best midfielders is hardly ideal, if one doesn’t make it you would expect Bernardo or Iwata to step in depending on who doesn’t pass a fitness test.
The top three will be very interesting, Celtic’s front three used to be nailed on last season. This term, not so much. Maeda will likely start so then it becomes who plays up front and on the right. Kuhn has been showing signs of life in the past few games that means he might just get the nod. We also have Yang back from suspension for that one, will he go back into the team quickly? Then there is Kyogo or Idah. For me, it has to be a front three of Maeda, Kyogo and Kuhn and we can go from there. We know there will be an argument for Palma if he is fit, but he’s also nursing an injury, he would displace Maeda from his usual position which I’m not a fan of.
We would have ample talent on the bench to come on and make an impact if we needed a jolt.
To recap, Celtic’s best case scenario for Ibrox in my humble opinion is. Joe Hart; Johnston, CCV, Scales, Taylor; McGrgeor, Hatate, O’Riley; Maeda, Kyogo, Kuhn.
There will be plenty of discussion and debate over this in the next two weeks. Who would be your ideal XI.
