Celtic is set to return to the pitch this weekend as they gear up for a home showdown against St Mirren. The Hoops currently lead the Scottish Premiership standings by a narrow margin, with Rangers hot on their heels and a game in hand. In their recent 3-3 draw at Ibrox, Brendan Rodgers’ squad saw goals from Daizen Maeda, Matt O’Riley, and Adam Idah.

Having clinched the title for the past two seasons, Celtic faces a tough challenge in defending their championship against a formidable Philippe Clement-led side. Despite the stiff competition, Rodgers emphasizes the importance of staying focused and securing victories. As they prepare for their upcoming match, here’s the latest team news for both Celtic and St Mirren.

Daizen Maeda is sidelined for Celtic due to a hamstring injury sustained in the previous game against Rangers. Manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed his absence, stating that Maeda will miss the upcoming match and the extent of his recovery remains uncertain.

Liam Scales is also unavailable for Celtic after picking up an abductor strain in the clash with Rangers. Rodgers indicated that Scales is unlikely to feature in the upcoming fixture.

James McCarthy remains out of the picture for Celtic as he continues to be out of favor, with his last appearance dating back to October 2022.

Meanwhile, St Mirren will be without Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who is ineligible to play against his parent club Celtic. Kwon, the South Korean midfielder, joined St Mirren in January and has featured in eight league matches since then.

Ryan Strain’s availability for St Mirren is in doubt as the player has been managing a groin issue since November. The Buddies are monitoring his fitness closely to ensure his participation is carefully managed.