Skip to main content

The Celtic starting XI Martin O'Neill should use vs Falkirk as 6 changes made

The Bhoys should rotate here to rest some tired legs
ByJamie Kemble
Tounekti might get an opportunity
Tounekti might get an opportunity | Craig Foy - SNS Group/GettyImages

Celtic are back in action on Sunday when they face Falkirk in the Premiership, hoping to get back to winning ways after a draw with Dundee United on Wednesday night.

The Hoops remain four points clear at the top, while Falkirk are sixth and enjoying a solid season so far. Martin O'Neill's Bhoys are in the midst of a busy schedule, and they have a must-win Europa League clash with Besiktas on Thursday night.

Here we factor that in mind as we suggest a starting XI for O'Neill.

GK - Sam Johnstone

Sinisalo should be starting, but O'Neill has already say Johnstone is going to start for the next few weeks.

RB - Jordan Lotomba

Colby Donovan has had a very workload of late, and we need to see what Celtic have in Lotomba. He needs an opportunity to show what he has.

CB - Cameron Carter-Vickers

Carter-Vickers could do with some minutes ahead of next week's Besiktas game. He has recently recovered from injury and might be able to find som rhythm here.

CB - Liam Scales

Scales didn't have the best of games against Dundee United, but he has been in decent form besides that.

LB - Landon Emenalo

Kieran Tierney is another player who in desperate need of a rest ahead of next week's Europa League clash. Emenalo should get the chance to impress.

CDM - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox has been starving for game time. Callum McGregor is overworked and clearly needs to go into that Besiktas game with some fresh legs. This is the obvious move to help that happen.

CDM - Mika Baur

O'Neill likely can't afford to change both of his middle men and hope to get away with it, so Baur is likely to keep his place.

CAM - Benjamin Nygren

Nygren should probably stay in there to keep some quality in a rotated lineup. Oliver Sorensen is another option.

LW - Sebastian Tounekti

Jota is not ready to start, Callum Osmand is likely poushing in terms of his minutes following his return from injury, and Yang Hyun-jun is not yet available. Tounekti could get a rare opportunity.

RW - Haissem Hassan

Hassan hasn't been a regular starter, and he needs to find some quality with his final product having done well on the ball. This could be an opportunity to do just that.

CF - Camilo Durán

This could be argued either way. Durán is in form and it's worth keeping that going, but he could arguably do with some rest. It may be too risky to start youngster Shim Mheuka, and Kasper Hogh is bang out of form, but this may be a useful game to get him meaninful minutes.

Add us as a preferred source on Google