Brendan Rodgers probably knows the team he will start with on Saturday against Sevco but the Irishman won’t let a word seep out until 11am on Saturday morning.
Having brought in five new players and rejuvenated a number of others competition will be fierce for places on the bench as well as in the stating XI.
As well as the personnel the formation is up for grabs with Rodgers happy to switch between a back three or a back four depending on the occasion.
In goals Dorus de Vries looks like getting the vote ahead of Craig Gordon with the hoops boss satisfied by the Dutchman’s debut against Aberdeen although it did contain a few nervy moments.
De Vries will have had a fortnight to prepare for the match and knows the expectations of his manager better than most.
Apart from Mikael Lustig all of the Celtic defenders have remained at Lennoxtown during the international break giving de Vries extra time to develop an understanding with the men who’ll be protecting him on Saturday.
CLICK HERE to view the defenders to put the shutters up Sevco.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
His place in the Celtic side is under serious threat from Cristian Gomboa but not for this fixture.
Lustig never played against the old club but has picked up plenty of experience while picking up five championship medals.
With so many attacking options Brendan Rodgers will be looking primarily for Lustig to defend and also provide support to the central defenders. A purely defensive option will provide balance and an essential element of experience in what will be a highly charged occasion.
KOLO TOURE
Has came through every test thrown his way in style and will relish the tension and atmosphere on Saturday.
From the moment he appeared as a substitute against Astana he has shown the composure and leadership that Celtic have been crying out for.
Having experienced derby days in London, Manchester and Liverpool he’ll be looking to become more than the answer to a quiz question after Saturday.
He held Celtic together away to Hapoel, on Saturday other qualities will be required but his name on the team-sheet will be a reassuring sign for all Celtic fans.
ERIK SVIACHENKO
The Dane was one of the very few Celtic players to emerge from the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat with any credibility.
An early substitute for Dedryck Boyata he stepped into a suspect defence and instantly brought some solidity to proceedings.
The emergence of Eoghan O’Connell and likely return to fitness of Jozo Simunovic will ensure that Sviachenko is on his game, like Toure he looks to have the character to revel in Saturday’s fevered atmosphere.
KIERAN TIERNEY
It’s only a year since the teenager broke into the Celtic side, 12 months in which he has improved almost game by game.
Roared on by the fans that he used sit amongst KT will be a sight to behold as he races down the left flank to beef up the Celtic attacks.
With his flexibility he could be be switching between full-back and wing-back during the course of the game, the only certainty is that he’ll be giving it 100% with Barcelona and the Nou Camp the furthest thing from his mind.