Celtic side to topple St Johnstone

Brendan Rodgers will put the Champions League and transfer window to one side as he prepares to face St Johnstone on Saturday. Going into an international break with a 100% record will be the perfect way to end a hectic period that has seen progress in three competitions. There won't be the same buzz around the ground as awaits Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain later in the season but after qualifying for the group phase of the Champions League the feel good factor will be obvious to all. Unusually Celtic face domestic opponents on the same points mark with Tommy Wrights side beating Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Partick Thistle to get off to a flying start despite disappointing exits in the Europa League and League Cup. Last season Celtic won both home matches but the January clash was tight with just a header from born-again Dedryck Boyata separating the two teams. After arriving back from Astana in the early hours of Wednesday morning the squad will be well rested and prepared for the challenge. It's unlikely that there will be much in the way of squad rotation, ahead of an international break the big hitters will be on club duty and looking to shake off the challengers from Perth. CRAIG GORDON Will be keen to get back on the clean sheet trail after Tuesday night in Astana. There did seem to be signs that the chopping and changing in central defence was having an effect on his game although there were a couple of great impulsive saves. Another domestic clean sheet will be very welcome with St Johnstone having a decent recent run of form at Celtic Park. MIKAEL LUSTIG Like a few others he didn't have the best of times in Astana but there won't be any other matches this season with the same level of travel and pressure. He knows that Tony Ralston is getting closer and closer to a first team place but he still has the edge over his teenage rival. A strong performance, linking across the back four and supporting James Forrest is needed before the international break. JOZO SIMUNOVIC Welcome Back. The return of the former Croatia Zagreb defender will be very welcome bringing some experience and organisation to the defence. Sometimes a player's stock can mistakenly rise through not being involved but the influence of the 22 year old is very much real. It is still a concern that he isn't comfortable playing on artificial surfaces but until there are some fit reinforcements he will be the main man in defence. KRISTOFFER AJER Despite a 'challenging' night in Astana the young Norwegian is probably the best suited option to play alongside Simunovic. He played against St Johnstone last season and breezed through last week's win over Kilmarnock. St Johnstone should offer more as an attacking threat but this is the type of the fixture that can accelerate his development. KIERAN TIERNEY Was left exposed a few times during the second half against Astana but stuck to his task and survived a head knock to see the match through. He has started all ten competitive matches so far this season and could maybe do with a breather but I wouldn't want to be tasked with telling him that he needs rested. The manager can be sure of a 7 out of 10 performance from the young full back. SCOTT BROWN Won't want to dwell on the Astana match and will be glad to get back to familiar surroundings and a familiar time zone. He has a very domineering parter in Olivier Ntcham which can change his role in the team. Another Champions League campaign, his fifth, is bound to have him firing on all cylinders with last season's group matches bringing him new found respect. OLIVIER NTCHAM Making a bigger impression on the team game by game. It looked a tough task to break into the Celtic midfield but the Frenchman has added strength to the talents already available to Brendan Rodgers. He's ready for the group stage of the Champions League but it's performing domestically that will earn him that chance. JAMES FORREST Has provided an invaluable service to the team so far this season, despite the constant speculation about Patrick Roberts. Forrest understands the team tactics and his role and pops up with a worthwhile supply of goals as a bonus. He'd rather stick to the wing than play through the centre but wherever he is needed he is ready to turn in a high class performance. TOM ROGIC Came on as a substitute in Astana to good effect. Rather than try to hold the scoreline Rodgers brought on the Australian to add something different to the Celtic attack. It worked. Last week at Kimarnock he was the provider but at home against St Johnstone he's very likely to be on the scoresheet. He understands his role perfectly and is getting more effective game by game. With Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong around he knows the level of competition for that place. SCOTT SINCLAIR Six goals so far this season isn't too shabby he looks certain to hit the 20 plus mark again this term. Strangely he seems to struggle with instinctive chances around the six yard box but let him cut in off the left flank and get the ball onto his right foot and there is only one outcome. He was last season's Player of the Year by a distance, it looks like it'll require something special to take that time off him this term. LEIGH GRIFFITHS Has put in a big shift over the two Astana games but will have to go again against St Johnstone. If his various muscle injuries could be overcome he'd be an incredible talent but for now it seems to be a game by game assessment to keep tabs on his fitness. He knows that Moussa Dembele is likely to be back soon after the international break but there's little doubt that the former Hibs striker is the man in possession... for now.

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