The Celtic lineup is no longer as predictable as it has been. New signings added to the squad in the recent transfer window have put paid to that. To be fair, Martin O’Neill did still manage to ring the changes, rest players, and add a surprise or two despite the previous squad limitations.
He has even more scope to do so now with extra names now available for selection. A few players have also left the squad, but were highly unlikely to feature again. O’Neill still has plenty of options and a slowly reducing injury list. He has also had a little more time to bed in the new signings after the midweek postponement at Aberdeen.
Predicting his choices for the lineup to face Dundee on Saturday evening could be quite a challenge. Especially as we can't be sure of the match fitness of some of the new recruits. It seems likely most will be eased into the side. Let’s take a look at what the starting XI might look like for the Scottish Cup tie.
Predicted Celtic starting XI to face Dundee
The defence is perhaps the easiest to predict. Sometimes we see second goalkeepers step in for cup games. Viljami Sinisalo did play in the previous round against Auchinleck Talbot, where he raised a few questions on his ability with crosses. That is likely enough to confirm Kasper Schmeichel will start this one.
Although there were lots of changes for the previous round, it was a junior side as the opposition. Facing fellow Premiership side Dundee is a different prospect. O’Neill may want to put out his strongest side. Which should mean the back four of Julian Aurajo, Austin Trusty, Liam Scales, and Kieran Tierney.
In midfield, we can expect Callum McGregor alongside Arne Engels. Then either Benjamin Nygren or Reo Hatate. Nygren’s run of goals will probably trump Hatate’s erratic form to secure the Swede's start.
Plenty of options upfront for Celtic
As a forward line, it may well be the case that O'Neill opts for Daizen Maeda, Tomas Cvancara, and Hyun-Jun Yang to begin with. There could be surprises with a start for Junior Adamu or Kelechi Iheanacho, but Cvancara deserves to keep his place. Maeda or Yang may be candidates for a rest. Would O’Neill play two up front and rest a wide player? It’s possible, but it may be more likely later in the game.
Substitutions are where we are likely to see more of the new signings. Adamu and Joel Mvuka could make debut appearances from the bench. We may even get a glimpse of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but in the stands rather than the dugout. With Michel-Ange Balikwisha missing from last week's squad against Falkirk and now dropped from the Europa League party, it’d be a surprise if he appeared for this match.
Back to the pitch, and Sebastian Tounekti is another who is likely to come on at some point. O’Neill will have to juggle the setup and numbers of subs to accommodate these players and changes. If the scoreline is favourable, he may also introduce Benjamin Arthur in the back line at some stage. We will hopefully see more of him than we did of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on his loan.
Potential Celtic starting line-up v Dundee
Schmeichel
Aurajo
Trusty
Scales
Tierney
McGregor
Engels
Nygren
Maeda
Cvancara
Yang