Lassad makes top team return
Stokes scored twice against Dundee United earning the praise of Neil Lennon but has to settle for a place on the bench.
Lassad hasn’t started a match since the League Cup semi-final against St Mirren but has scored vital opening goals away to Aberdeen and Hearts in the SPL.
Celtic go into the match on a six game winning run in the SPL with the title starting to come within sight.
Wins over St Johnstone, Dundee and Motherwell over the next eight days would put Celtic in a very strong position with Kelvin Wilson admitting that the dressing room is eyeing up a title success.
He said: “I think so yes, especially with the lead we have built up.
“I thought we were brilliant against Dundee United, they are a good side so it was a great result for us.
“I think it works out that if we win the games it could be the end of March (when title is won), so it makes sense to try to achieve that as soon as possible.
“I would have three games a week, let’s get them all in. When there are games you don’t train much, just prepare for games and when they come so fast, you tick them off and tick them off.
“It’s tiring but good. St Johnstone are a good side, good going forward and so it will be interesting and it is always a tough battle with the striker (Gregory) Tade, so it will be a good challenge.”
CELTIC: Forster; Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre; Commons, Wanyama, Ledley, Mulgrew; Hooper, Lassad
Subs: Zaluska, Stokes, Rogne, Rogic, Kayal, McCourt, Forrest