On Saturday, Celtic plays Hearts in the Scottish Premiership with the knowledge that a win would put them one step closer to capturing the championship.
With just four league games left, the Bhoys lead second-place Rangers, who will also be at Celtic Park next week, by three points.
Nothing can be taken for granted, since Hearts has won both of the teams’ previous home and away encounters in this fixture this season.
Daizen Maeda, who returned to group training this week after recovering quickly from a hamstring injury, is thankfully healthy according to Brendan Rodgers. It is official that he will be included in the team for this weekend’s contest.
What kind of team will the manager have? This is our best attempt at the eleven today.
Celtics might play the Hearts.
Once more, Joe Hart will be in goal, leading a defence that will include flankers Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor.
Despite the recent focus on Celtic’s defensive shortcomings, Liam Scales is still expected to be chosen above Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke. Scales’ removal from the team would have occurred sooner rather than later because Rodgers has a solid defense in place for the trophy push.
Leading the defensive line against possible pressure from Hearts and Lawrence Shankland will fall to Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Callum McGregor is recuperating nicely.
Callum McGregor’s fitness has been questioned in midfield, but Rodgers said this week that he is looking much better in training, which is encouraging for a starting position.
Alongside the captain, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate are still the best choices. To find a self-assured away side, they’ll need to be at the top of their creative game.
Even though Maeda is back in the mix for the squad, it seems doubtful that he would start against Hearts, especially with the derby quickly approaching.
We’ve got a better chance of once again seeing James Forrest start, with Nicolas Kuhn on the opposite wing. Maeda can come into the match in the second half.
Kyogo Furuhashi is still the man to get the nod in attack and Adam Idah can disrupt Hearts after the interval if needed.
Your Predicted XI in full is: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O’Riley, Hatate, Kuhn, Forrest, Kyogo.
