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Predicted Celtic starting XI to face Falkirk as first start handed out

The Bhoys need to bounce back quickly
O'Neill has some big calls to make
O'Neill has some big calls to make | Steve Welsh - PA Images/GettyImages

Celtic are back in action on Saturday when they face Falkirk at home, desperately hoping to bounce back from Tuesday night's crushing Champions League defeat that saw them give up a four-goal lead.

The Bhoys have gone weeks without league football, but they did win both of their first two games, while Falkirk have one point from two games. Here we take a look at the possible Celtic starting XI.

GK - Viljami Sinisalo

Sinisalo is Celtic's only truly senior goalkeeper, but he is in good form in any case, and will be starting here.

RB - Colby Donovan

Donovan is likely to keep his place despite struggling during the week. He gives Celtic more going forward than Anthony Ralston.

CB - Cameron Carter-Vickers

Carter-Vickers appeared to be struggling with a hand injury in Austria, but he looks to be okay. Rotation is not out of the question at centre-back, but O'Neill will likely stick with his trusted pair.

CB - Auston Trusty

Trusty falls under that, and in truth, Celtic were let down by their midfield more than defence during the week.

LB - Kieran Tierney

Tierney came off relatively early, so he should be good to go. If not, you can expect to see Liam Scales here, given he is the only other player able to play at left-back.

CDM - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

What will surely be a tired Celtic team could do with some fresh legs, and Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn't played since the cup game. He could come in to offer some much-needed balance in midfield.

CDM - Mika Baur

If he is fit, Callum McGregor will start, but he missed Friday's session with sickness and that doesn't leave him with much time to get feeling sharp again. Early in the season, that could be a big risk to take. With no other holding midfielder, Baur could start, though he did struggle against LASK.

RW - Haissem Hassan

Duran may well start again, but we're thinking rotation is likely after a long night for the Colombian that saw him play 120 minutes. Hassan is yet to start, and after he did not come off the bench against LASK, he could well get a start here.

LW - Sebastian Tounekti

Does O'Neill stick with Yang-Hyung jun after his disappointing performance, or go with Tounekti, who gave away a goal with poor marking on Tuesday night? Who knows. This one is up in the air. We'll go Tounekti based on O'Neill likely wanting to make some changes.

CF - Kasper Hogh

Hogh put in a really ineffective display on Tuesday night, but he likely gets the nod again. It's not impossible O'Neill brings in Callum Osmand to give Hogh a kick up the back-side, and the Dane did also play 120 minutes, so there could be a question of fatigue, but it's more likely he starts and comes off early.

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