Brendan Rodgers was left with a heavily rotated backline in Celtic’s last outing pre-Christmas.
And the Hoops boss and the fans alike will be hoping to unwrap a more familiar looking rearguard in a late Christmas gift. The makeshift defence of Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor, Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh kept a clean sheet at Tannadice in a goalless draw but the champions have picked up massive results already this season with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston all in front of Kasper Schmeichel and the trio are expected to return in a major boost after being hit by the flu.
It’s the first time Celtic have played at home on Boxing Day since 2010 and Rodgers is delighted to have home comforts for the welcome of Motherwell. A big decision will need to be made outwide with Nicolas Kuhn remaining a doubt and James Forrest out for a number of weeks. Daizen Maeda is a certainty to occupy his usual role but it is once again a big chance for Yang or Luis Palma to come in and show what they can do. The latter has been linked with the exit door when the window opens next week.
Luke McCowan was also in from the start at Dundee United alongside skipper Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate could find himself back on the bench and making an impact that way. The middle of the park is Celtic’s major strength with Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels desperate for action from the off. McGregor is a certainty to retain his orchestrator role. It’s then two from the four.
Rodgers is a fan of rotation and keeping things fresh which could open the door for Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo to come in from the off in Glasgow’s east end.
Predicted Celtic XI to face Motherwell
Celtic squad to face Motherwell
Goalkeepers
- Kasper Schmeichel
- Viljami Sinisalo
Defenders
- Greg Taylor
- Alistair Johnston
- Anthony Ralston
- Stephen Welsh
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Auston Trusty
- Maik Nawrocki
- Liam Scales
- Alex Valle
Midfielders
- Callum McGregor
- Reo Hatate
- Luke McCowan
- Paulo Bernardo
- Arne Engels
Attackers
- Kyogo Furuhashi
- Adam Idah
- Luis Palma
- Yang