Celtic face St Mirren this afternoon in the Cinch Premiership. The Scottish Champions have the chance to go four points clear of Rangers, who will have two games in hand by this evening. Brendan Rodgers’ side left Ibrox last weekend in an exciting 3-3 draw.

Speaking yesterday at the media conference, the Celtic manager said that the team would be without Daizen Maeda, who has picked up a hamstring injury, and Liam Scales, who has a minor abductor injury. Although, Luis Palma is welcomed back to the squad after recovering from a calf injury.

Joe Hart will start in goals. The Englishman has been brilliant this season and will be desperate to leave the game at the end of the season as a title winner. Celtic’s No.1 was unlucky last weekend to concede three but will be keen to keep things tight at the back when called upon.

Scales is out meaning Maik Nawrocki will likely come into the starting XI to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers. Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will start in the full back berths.

Callum McGregor came off the bench at Ibrox but you wouldn’t expect to see him start meaning Tomoki Iwata will be named on the teamsheet. The Japanese midfielder will likely be joined by compatriot Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, in the same trio that started at Ibrox.

The manager will need to decide who comes in instead of Maeda. James Forrest, Yang and Palma could all come in to start on the left so Brendan will need to select one of them to come in beside Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn. There is even an argument for Kyogo being moved onto the left and Adam Idah going through the middle.

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