The Celtic Star
·4 febbraio 2025
The Celtic Star
·4 febbraio 2025
Celtic return to Paradise tomorrow evening for the game in hand against Dundee. The Scottish Champions were forced to postpone the game on January 25th after Storm Éowyn caused damage to the stadium. However, the game was quickly rescheduled and it gives Brendan’s side the chance to move 13 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premiership table.
Celtic were held to a 3-3 draw when the sides met last month at Dens Park with a late Arne Engels penalty securing a point for Celtic. The Champions should have had the game sown up before HT but failed to capitalise, allowing Dundee to get back into the game.
After the 3-1 win over Motherwell at the weekend, Celtic fans were able to see Jota back in the Hoops and they’ll be eagerly awaiting the Superstar from Portugal to return to Celtic Park.
Celtic have no fresh injury concerns going into the game. James Forrest remains out with a hamstring injury but previous estimates from the manager should mean he will be back later this month. Jeffrey Schlupp will be in contention for a place in the Matchday squad after signing from Crystal Palace on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Kasper Schmeichel will start in goals. The Dane has started all of Celtic’s games this season since arriving and shows no signs of slowing down.
Alistair Johnston will likely come back into the team having dropped to the bench for the dependable Tony Ralston. Greg Taylor will start at left back but we may get a glimpse of Schlupp as the game goes on. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty are expected to continue as the central pairing. Trusty was tormented by Simon Murray last time out and will be keen to atone with a strong display on Wednesday evening.
Auston Trusty. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Callum McGregor made his 500th appearance on Sunday and will likely lead the Celts from the start. The 31-year-old will likely start alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels in the midfield with Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan offering depth from the bench.
Adam Idah will start through the middle with Daizen Maeda on the left and Nicolas Kühn on the right. Jota will be looking to make a stunning return to Paradise if he’s called upon from the bench.
Jota is emotional after he scores his first goal after rejoining Celtic, Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Taylor, Trusty, Carter-Vickers; Johnston, McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Maeda, Idah, Kühn.
Colin Steven has been handed the whistle for the game. The teacher took charge of Celtic’s 2-0 win over Hearts back in September and will be assisted by Jonathan Bell and Alistair Mather.
Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Alan Muir is on VAR.
Luke McCowan scores for Celtic at. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
The game will take place at 7:45pm (Celtic Park Time).
The game will be shown on Celtic TV for subscribers outside of Britain and Ireland. However, Celtic TV are offering a PPV option for subscribers (£9.99) and non-subscribers (£12.99) to watch the action unfold from Paradise.
Gerry McCulloch will be in the Celtic Park studio with Peter Grant before handing over to the commentary team of Paul Cuddihy and Simon Donnelly.