Celtic vs – Celtic head to Easter Road with squad clarity but tough selection calls, especially at wide areas and the balance behind Daizen Maeda.
Celtic’s trip to Easter Road is setting up as the kind of match where small selection details could carry big consequences for the run-in.
Misryoum reports that there are no fresh injury concerns coming from the group that delivered a 3-1 win over Falkirk last week. The main issue hanging over the squad is Tomas Cvancara, who has been absent recently due to a groin strain that may require surgery.
In midfield and defence, the questions are tighter.. Alistair Johnston is in contention after returning from injury and making an impact in limited time against Falkirk. while Cameron Carter-Vickers has only progressed to light training.. Meanwhile. the wider areas are where the dilemmas start to stack up. especially if Daizen Maeda continues his recent move into a central role.
Insight: These are the moments where momentum and fitness collide. With one or two players only just edging back into rhythm, Celtic’s best XI may not be the most “obvious” on paper, but the most coherent in-game.
Meanwhile, Misryoum highlights that the shape up front has changed results recently.. Maeda’s output when used as a No.. 9 has helped Celtic find goals, but it also reduces the threat that came from his earlier wide involvement.. That leaves Martin O’Neill facing a selection puzzle on the wings. where neither of the usual bench starters is a guaranteed fix from the outset.
Misryoum also points to the Scottish Cup semi-final selection pattern: Sebastian Tounekti and Yang Hyun-jun started. before James Forrest came on at the weekend.. The knock-on effect is that Tounekti looked brighter in that substitute role. while Forrest’s influence has often felt more natural late in matches.. In this context. a likely balance is Forrest on the right. Yang on the left. and Maeda through the middle. with Tounekti used for impact later.
Insight: Celtic’s recruitment and squad depth around the wide positions is the sort of debate that shows up every spring, because it’s when margins tighten. The “right” lineup becomes less about talent and more about who offers the best tactical match for the opponent.
On the other side of the ball. Johnston’s most cautious path may be familiar: Misryoum suggests he could be used from the bench again to protect his fragile condition profile and to keep him on track for the bigger upcoming stretch.. In midfield. the captain and the core structure are expected to stay put. with Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren remaining the safer choices for control and intensity rather than gambling on a system change.
Meanwhile, Misryoum notes that Hibs are unlikely to simply make things easier for Celtic.. The contest still carries pressure for fourth place and European qualification, and that could shape the atmosphere at Easter Road.. With Celtic still having to get their own result. the match may hinge on whether Celtic can impose themselves early rather than relying on late-game swings.
Insight: Even when a title race feels like it belongs to the favourites, the pressure of what’s still at stake for the opposition often creates the toughest games. That’s why Celtic’s early intensity could matter as much as the final score.
Predicted Celtic XI: Sinisalo; Ralston, Trusty, Scales; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Forrest, Yang, Maeda.