Celtic team news and Predicted XI vs Rangers as returning star “looks really good” in training

Celtic host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday looking to pick up their second derby win of the season under Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic won all three points at Ibrox in September, effectively ending Michael Beale’s reign in the city and putting the reigning champions atop the table.

Despite the Bhoys’ home advantage, today’s visitors are unbeaten since Philippe Clement replaced Beale and could be a much tougher foe.

Nonetheless, we know that Rodgers and Celtic are capable of having big derby days, and the hope is that the league leaders can re-establish themselves as the best team in the country.

With injuries to contend with and some players returning from lengthy absences, what kind of team will Rodgers field today? Here’s a closer look at the eleven.

Potential Celtic vs. Rangers lineup

The big news ahead of kick-off came from the manager in his pre-match press conference, when he confirmed that defender Cameron Carter-Vickers will not play, nor will he travel to face St Mirren.

As a result, Stephen Welsh is the most likely candidate to partner Liam Scales in the centre of defence, with Greg Taylor, Alistair Johnston, and custodian Joe Hart supporting him.

Reo Hatate, who has been training with the team all week, is a strong candidate for the bench but is unlikely to start given his long layoff. He could be a second-half replacement for a midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo, and Matt O’Riley.
Liel Abada is also back, and Rodgers said in a press conference on Friday that he “looks really good” in training right now. However, after being on the bench for more than three months, throwing him into such a high-tempo encounter from the start later today would be a tall order. He, like Hatate, is much more likely to play in the second half if necessary.

With that in mind, despite Mikey Johnston’s super sub appearance away to Dundee, Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma are likely to keep their places in the team.

The dynamic centre of the Bhoys attack, Kyogo Furuhashi, will then be tasked with continuing his outstanding record against Rangers.
Hart, A Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Bernardo, O’Riley, Maeda, Palma, Kyogo are your full predicted XI.

in other news Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers delivers his verdict on Philippe Clement’s Rangers.