It’s the Boxing Day, and Celtic is eyeing a triumphant conclusion to 2023 as they confront Dundee and their title contenders, Rangers.
The team’s victory over Livingston on the preceding Saturday has reinstated the champions’ momentum after enduring consecutive Premiership setbacks. Manager Brendan Rodgers is eager to cap off the calendar year decisively, seeking to transcend recent challenges. Celtic’s Odin Thiago Holm has recovered from illness and is back in contention. However, Tomoki Iwata remains sidelined, while Liel Abada (thigh) and Reo Hatate (hamstring) are progressing in their rehabilitation.
On the other hand, the visiting team has multiple players striving for playing time. Dundee’s Lee Ashcroft, Marcel Lewis, and Diego Pineda are vying for returns. Although Owen Beck has been grappling with a groin issue, he is anticipated to participate in the game. Antonio Portales, however, is sidelined with a hamstring injury until after the winter break.
Nevertheless, Celtic is confident in their ability to neutralize the threat posed by the hosts as they prepare to maintain their pole position in the table before facing Rangers on Saturday. Record Sport provides insights into how the team could be structured.
Provisional Celtic Squad
Goalkeepers
- Joe Hart
- Benjamin Siegrist
- Scott Bain
Defenders
- Alexandro Bernabei
- Gustaf Lagerbielke
- Alistair Johnston
- Liam Scales
- Nat Phillips
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Anthony Ralston
- Greg Taylor
- Maik Nawrocki
Midfielders
- Matt O’Riley
- Callum McGregor
- David Turnbull
- Odin Holm
- Kwon Hyeok-kyu
- Paulo Bernardo
Forwards
- Luis Palma
- Hyeongyu Oh
- Kyogo Furuhashi
- Yang Hyun-jun
- James Forrest
