Celtic predicted line-ups: Giakoumakis for Kyogo and time for Turnbull?

The memory of Anthony Ralston's 97th-minute winner last December will not be far from the minds as the support journeys north on Saturday afternoon.

Against Aberdeen last weekend there was plenty to admire within the performance but Ange Postecoglou remained frustrated at elements of the display.

Certainly, the strikers will be crucial this weekend as they seek to take maximum points against Malky Mackay's side.

But who will the manager opt for from the start?

Our writers make their predictions...

Alison McConnell

Greg Taylor could have considered himself a contender for a man of the match performance last weekend while Stephen Welsh did his chances of staying in the side no harm at all. 

In the middle of the park, Matt O'Riley's influence could be significant as the athletic midfielder can be both creator and finisher as evidenced since his arrival at the club.

Daizen Maeda could start on one flank with Jota on the other as Celtic look to utilise the Japanese forward's speed and industry as well as Jota's creativity.

Kyogo Furuhashi will ensure that Ross County's defenders do not get a chance to take their eyes off him given his incessant movement.

Taking their chances and being clinical will be crucial in a game where space is expected to be limited as County, who are under no pressure going into the game, look to make life as awkward as possible for Celtic. 

Alison's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Sean Martin

I was set to go all Liam Gallagher with this one and just write: as you were.

However, with the news that Reo Hatate is to miss the game, that won't be quite the case.

In the Japanese midfielder's place will surely come David Turnbull. The 23-year-old finished Celtic's pre-season schedule as top scorer and played well when he came on against Aberdeen last weekend. This will be another big chance for him to stake his claim to start more regularly.

Besides that enforced change, I don't see any real meddling from the Dons game.

I made the case before the competitive stuff started that Anthony Ralston had enjoyed a better pre-season than Josip Juranovic - but Juranovic still started the first game and given he did well enough in it I expect him to start this one too.

Elsewhere, Daizen Maeda wasn’t at his best against Aberdeen but is that enough to rotate him out right away? I’m unconvinced.

The argument could be made that, on the smaller Victoria Park pitch, some of his best abilities could be somewhat negated. Even then, however, I think he is one of the first names Posteocoglou wants on his teamsheet. Jota will arguably be more crucial at breaking down the Staggies block if the game enters a stodgy scenario but I still think Maeda will start too.

Sean's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Tony Haggerty

Postecoglou had some stern public words for his charges last weekend. It remains to be seen if that will manifest itself in changes to the starting line-up against last season's top-six shock troops Ross County.

Malky Mackay’s side will provide a stern and robust test for Celtic. However, I firmly believe that it will be just one position rotating.

Joe Hart will retain his place in goal and he’ll be deployed behind the same back four that kept a clean sheet against the Reds.

The midfield trio will need to change and I can see David Turnbull coming in for Reo Hatate alongside Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley being trusted as the men to break the Staggies down.

In attack, it wasn’t Celtic talisman Kyogo Furuhashi’s day against the Dons. Despite it being only the second game of the new season, I’ve got a sneaky feeling that Kyogo will be rotated and he will make way for last season's joint top Premiership scorer Giorgos Giakoumakis with Jota and Daizen Maeda providing the width and the ammunition.

The Aussie may also feel that Ross County will present a more robust and physical threat, especially in defence, and the Greek is more than capable of matching that challenge stride for stride.

Tony's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, O'Riley; Jota, Giakoumakis, Maeda

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