Celtic will aim to maintain their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Saturday when they welcome Ross County to Celtic Park.
The Hoops have won their last two league games, with the latest being a 3-1 away win over Livingston. Earlier this week, Ange Postecoglou’s side also booked a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals by beating Dundee 3-0, setting up a mouthwatering tie with Rangers next month.
We are already in the final stretch of the season, so Postecoglou will want his side to continue their march to the league title and beat an in-form Ross County on Saturday.
Celtic Team News
Jota and Liel Abada missed out on the Dundee game with knock and illness respectively but the attacking duo are expected to return to the Celtic squad on Saturday.
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Kyogo Furuhashi has been out since pulling up against St Johnstone during the final game of 2021 and manager Ange Postecoglou hopes to have him back after the international break.
Predicted Celtic Lineup vs Ross County (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart kept a clean sheet in Celtic’s 3-0 cup win over Dundee in midweek and will be eager to shut the shop against Ross County.
Defence
With three games left for the season and the Hoops’ fate in their hands, the manager is unlikely to make any changes to his backline that starred against Dundee, meaning Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Josip Juranovic should start at the back.
Predicted Celtic Lineup vs Ross County
Carter-Vickers will partner Starfelt in central defence, and Taylor is a certain starter at left-back, while Juranovic picks himself on the right flank.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Callum McGregor should sit at the base of the three-man unit, dictating the tempo of the game with his passing ability. Reo Hatate was taken off at half-time against Dundee but he is expected to start again in the Hoops midfield. Matt O’Riley will occupy the third spot in midfield.
The troika of Hatate, McGregor and O’Riley will look to take control of the game from the first blow of the whistle against an in-form Ross County side.
Attack
Upfront, Ange Postecoglou is blessed with a lot of resources. Jota will be expected to return to the Celtic lineup, and the Portuguese winger will be tasked with the responsibility of creating opportunities for Giorgos Giakoumakis, who will spearhead the Hoops attack.
Giakoumakis is expected to retain his spot after a superb brace against Dundee. James Forrest, meanwhile, could make way for Liel Abada, who has been very handy with both his goals and assists.
