Predicted Celtic Starting XI Against CFR Cluj

Update 17:40 BST:

Celtic FC has released the starting XI for today’s match. It is as follows:

GK- Scott Bain

RB- Hatem Abd Elhamed

CB- Simunovic

CB- Kristoffer Ajer

LB- Boli Bolingoli Mbombo

CM- Scott Brown

CM- Callum McGregor

RM- James Forrest

CAM- Ryan Christie

LM- Morgan

ST- Odsonne Edouard

Celtic FC will face their toughest challenge of the young season today in the form of Romanian champs CFR Cluj. How the Hoops lineup to tackle this challenge will make all the difference.

Odsonne Edouard will take the pitch as the number one striker today. He got on the score sheet once against St. Johnstone. However, he threatened numerous times during the match. Leigh Griffiths will provide extra firepower from the bench today. What a weapon Griffiths has proved to be early.

Up front James Forrest will get the start on the right. Despite his previous struggles, Neil Lennon will continue to give him chances early in the season in an attempt to find his form. Mikey Johnston will get the call to start on the left side. Johnston has impressed lately, and by all accounts is in phenomenal form. Pair him with Ryan Christie, who cannot be stopped at the moment, and Celtic FC fans have a lot to be hopeful for in this match, and many in the future.

Similar to the St. Johnstone fixture, Callum McGregor and Scott Brown will be the duo in centre-field. McGregor and Brown made easy work of the Saints on Sunday, and are looking to continue their dominance on the field against a much tougher opponent today.

During Celtic’s previous fixture, new signing right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed took a nasty hit to his leg that forced him to exit the match. Celtic FC boss Neil Lennon has given Elhamed a clean bill of health almost ensuring that he will be apart of the starting XI.

Joining Jullien is another new signing, centre-back Christopher Jullien should also take the pitch today as part of the starting XI. Jullien was suspended from the first match of the Scottish Premiership season. His presence on the field bolsters what is already a lineup full of firepower. Ajer will join Jullien, while Bitton is likely the odd-man out when he rests in today’s match.

Prior to the start of the season Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo was dismissed by many on terms of his possible production and contribution to the first team. Bolingoli seems to have dispelled any doubts during his current run of great form. He will assuredly be in the starting XI today as left-back.

Finally, Scott Bain will be the goalkeeper in today’s match. He has not been asked to do much in his last two starts. CFR Cluj will provide a good test for Bain compared to St. Johnstone and Nomme Kalju.

Celtic FC Starting XI:

GK- Scott Bain

RB- Hatem Abd Elhamed

CB- Christopher Jullien

CB- Kristoffer Ajer

LB- Boli Bolingoli Mbombo

CM- Scott Brown

CM- Callum McGregor

RM- James Forrest

CAM- Ryan Christie

LM- Mikey Johnston

ST- Odsonne Edouard