GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has made one change to the Celtic side that beat Hibs for today’s Glasgow Derby.
Luke McCowan comes in to replace Sebastian Tounekti.
McCowan started a number of matches wide on the right during O’Neill’s first spell as interim manager in the autumn.
Clearly the former Dundee man isn’t a winger, he will add a body to midfield with the main attacking threat coming from Daizen Maeda and Yang Hyun-jun.
O’Neill also has the option to push top scorer Ben Nygren into a more advanced midfield role.
With Hearts drawing 1-1 at Motherwell last night Celtic can cut the gap at the top of the table down to one point with a victory.
Although they have beaten today’s opponents in both cup competitions they haven’t won an SPFL Glasgow Derby since September 2024.
Four of this season’s Derby matches have been level after 90 minutes.
THE O’NEILL FACTOR
After trips to Hampden and Ibrox O’Neill gets to experience Celtic Park on Derby Day.
A double header at Ibrox at the start of March looked ominous for Celtic. Especially following on from midweek trips to Stuttgart and Aberdeen.
Somehow Celtic survived both fixtures. The first while being 2-0 down at half-time, the second without Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney.
O’Neill has found a way of surviving, mainly winning matches.
In the SPFL clash at Ibrox the half-time introduction of Reo Hatate was pivotal.
A week later Celtic progressed in the Scottish Cup without having a shot on target over 120 minutes. Maeda did have a first half ‘goal’ disallowed.
Now on the back of five successive wins the SPFL title is within sight. Three more wins are required between today and Saturday at home to Hearts.
After so much recent controversy all eyes will be on referee Nick Walsh. For back up he has John Beaton on VAR duty.
CELTIC: Sinisalo; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Yang, Maeda, Tounekti
SUBS: Doohan, Iheanacho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tounekti, Sarachi, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Ralston
C’mon The Hoops ! – Just do it… Just fu**in do it Bhoys !!!
At last a team who will double up on their full backs and show up there biggest weakness……
HH
3 month meltdown over the AJ tackle incoming by the papers to deflect from finishing 3rd
AJ’s leg is bent, not straight, yellow card all day……..
HH
He (AJ) also played the ball 1st (not the man) so is it even a foul?
All these ‘pundits’ and others go on and on about “contact”, oh there was contact, especially at penalties. “Contact” is not necessarily FOUL contact, it just happens.
IT’S A CONTACT SPORT FFS!
Anyway, if I prayed (which I do not) I’d be saying, already, my prayers have been answered as ALL I wanted after the performance of Lawwell and his lapdogs, after the sheer farce of Nancy, Tisdale et al, was for the new huns to finish 3rd at best and thanks to a 74 year old Tim from ‘Norn Arn’ that’s come to pass.
That’ll do for me, already. The Title and the SC would be a lovely bonus but, for me, that’s all they’d be. A clear-out of the board and one shareholder at least would be far better and far more important.
COYBIG
Clachnacuddin and the Hoops @ 11.01am…
Youse did it Bhoys… Youse just fu**in did it !!!!