Nawrocki To Start? | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face St Johnstone | OneFootball

A domestic treble is up for grabs for Celtic, who are back to winning ways, shaking off their Old Firm shambles before the international break. They clinched a commanding 3-0 win against Hearts, and are firm favourites to frustrate St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints are rock-bottom in the Premiership standings, with the fear of relegation looming large with seven games remaining. The Hoops have scored ten goals and conceded none in the past two meetings, including a thumping 6-0 win in Perth. The home side must fight with grit and determination, and therefore, uplift the mood of the home crowd regardless of the outcome.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face St Johnstone

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel continues to be sidelined after sustaining a shoulder injury during the international break. The veteran Dane will miss weeks of football, and his understudy Viljami Sinisalo is expected to have a run of games after earning a clean sheet against the Jambos.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 29: Callum McGregor of Celtic gestures to the fans at the end of the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and St. Johnstone FC at Celtic Park on December 29, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

A resolute performance against Rangers has brought the once-outcast Maik Nawrocki back in the starting lineup. With Liam Scales injured, the Polish centre-half is now ahead of Auston Trusty in the pecking order, and Brendan Rodgers should deploy him once more in the heart of the backline alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers. Alistair Johnston might keep his place down the right over Anthony Ralston, and so is Jeffrey Schlupp, who has replaced Greg Taylor as the first-choice left fullback since his winter arrival from Crystal Palace.

Midfield

Paulo Bernardo is back in action after a brief injury layoff. But the Portuguese midfield ace would only find his place among the substitutes with skipper Callum McGregor being irreplaceable deep down the midfield. His vision, experience and technical traits make the job easy for Arne Engels and Reo Hatate in box-to-box roles, and the gaffer should rotate either of his first-team ‘number 8’ pair with ‘super sub’ Luke McCowan in the middle of the park.

Attack

James Forrest’s return injury has added more firepower high up the pitch. However, the veteran Scotsman would only be involved as a substitute considering the depth and quality across the frontline. Daizen Maeda is proving his worth as a ‘number 9’ week in, week out, and the Japanese ace would look to add more to his tally after firing a brace against Hearts within the first 45 minutes of the match. Jota from the left and Nicolas Kuhn on the right are the preferred options; however, Yang Hyun-Jun and Adam Idah are also there to leave an impact from the bench.