Celtic Perfect Predicted XI vs Hearts… Brendan Rodgers Makes Three Controversial Changes As 25-Year-Old ‘Man Mountain’ Starts
As Celtic come down from the clouds after their win over Feyenoord in the Champions League, it’s back to domestic business this afternoon as Hearts come visiting for the Scottish Premiership clash this afternoon.
Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to build some momentum today and capitalise on the confidence boost his players would have received after beating the Dutch champions on Wednesday night.
With Livingston and then Rangers just around the corner, it is more important than ever that the Celtic manager gets this team playing, and winning, with confidence.
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So for me, Rodgers will make three changes from the team that lost to Kilmarnock in my Celtic Predicted XI as he looks for another Parkhead win.
Daizen Maeda starts and Mikey Johnston drops out for Celtic vs Hearts
In what will be seen as a major boost for the Celtic fans, the Japanese speed king will return to the first team this afternoon.
Mikey Johnston failed to grasp his opportunity to nail down a starting spot for Celtic recently and with Hyunjun Yang clearly not ready for first-team action, Rodgers will turn to his 25-year-old winger to help spark creativity down the Celtic flanks.
With Maeda‘s inclusion, I can see Palma being shifted over to the right flank to allow Rodgers to really unleash Maeda on the Hearts’ right fullback.
Kyogo Furuhashi is back in as Oh gets benched for Celtic vs Hearts
The Japanese striker will return to the fold as Brendan Rodgers goes in search for goals this afternoon.
The return of Maeda will spark Kyogo into life as the 28-year-old is clearly missing his compatriot’s speed and dynamism down that left flank.
Kyogo has struggled to find his goalscoring touch this season and with the Celtic manager confirming that he’s not asked the Japan international to drop into a deeper role, hopefully he will start to play off the shoulder of defences more often now.
And with Maeda being able to beat anyone for pace, he should be firing in the ammunition for Kyogo to tuck away today.
Cameron Carter-Vickers makes a welcome Described as a ‘man mountain‘ Carter-Vickers is an essential part of the Celtic team and it is scary how much the side struggle at the back without him in it.
And although Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh did brilliantly against Feyenoord on Wednesday night, it’s the young Scotsman who will drop out this afternoon as Carter-Vickers makes a welcome return to the Celtic back four.
Celtic Predicted XI vs Heartsreturn for Celtic vs Hearts
Broadcast details for Celtic vs Hearts; where to watch and listen
The 3pm kick-off will be broadcast as normal live on Celtic TV for those subscribers outside of the UK and Ireland. Otherwise, full match commentary will be available on the channel. A full replay of the game will be available from 10pm tonight.
BBC Radio Scotland will also offer full match commentary with coverage starting from 2pm with full match highlights shown on BBC Sportscence at 730pm tonight.
In other news, Paul Merson makes Celtic Park claim after watching Newcastle in the Champions League last nigh
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