Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - July 31, 2022 Celtic players in a huddle before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
There are three changes in the Celtic side to face Motherwell from last week’s Scottish Cup success at Ibrox.
Auston Trusty drops out through suspension with Julian Araujo and Luke McCowan missing from the Starting XI.
Colby Donovan comes in at right-back with Kieran Tierney on the left. Liam Scales moves inside to partner Ben Arthur who makes his first start at Celtic Park.
In midfield Alex Oxlaid-Chamberlain replaces McCowan who is among the substitutes. The forward line remains unchanged meaning that penalty hero Tomas Cvancara starts on the bench.
Araujo drops out completely with Tony Ralston on the bench. Following his Ibrox cameo Joel Mvuka fails to make the 20 man squad.
A win for Celtic takes them to just two points behind Hearts who face Kilmarnock tonight at Rugby Park, kick off 8pm.
So far Celtic have beaten Motherwell 3-2 then lost 2-0 at Fir Park.
Brendan Rodgers was in charge for the win, Wilfried Nancy lost out to Motherwell in December
CELTIC V MOTHERWELL BACKGROUND
Motherwell come into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Dundee that dealt their outside title hopes a serious blow.
Despite that set back it has been a highly successful season to date in the SPFL Premiership with a top four place looking very likely.
With a Goal Difference of plus 28 they are level with Hearts, six better off than Celtic.
Tawanda Maswanhise is the main goal threat with a highly credible 16 goals from 26 matches. Celtic were strongly linked with the one time Leicester winger during the January transfer window.
Next up for Celtic is a trip to face Dundee United on March 22. That match is followed by an international break then the final two pre split fixtures.
Once again John Beaton is in charge of a Celtic match, two weeks after the 2-2 draw at Ibrox in the SPFL.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Donovan, Arthur, Scales, Tierney; Oxlaid-Chamberlain, Hatate, Nygren; Yang, Maeda, Tounekti
SUBS: Doohan, Cvancara, McCowan, Iheanacho, Bernardo, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Ralston
Nae idea where Maeda got last season from but he is absolutely shocking now.
No way he should even be on the bench never mind a starter.
As for Hatate, daydream believer should be his anthem, no idea where his head is at most of the time.
But I suppose that’s how desperate we are now.
Great result again a very decent team !