{"id":332940,"date":"2025-08-10T10:55:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T10:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/332940\/"},"modified":"2025-08-10T10:55:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T10:55:11","slug":"celtic-team-news-and-predicted-xi-vs-aberdeen-the-change-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/332940\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtic team news and Predicted XI vs Aberdeen: The change required"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n While Kieran Tierney<\/a> gingerly walked out of last week’s win over St Mirren, Rodgers confirmed on Friday that his squad is fully fit and fresh for the journey north, aside from the long-term absence of winger Jota<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\n However, the Celtic manager signalled that the\u00a0game could come too soon for new signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who made the loan switch from Manchester City during the week.\n<\/p>\n

\n Celtic’s win against St Mirren last Sunday\u00a0offered up three points, but also very apparent issues with the attacking line.\n<\/p>\n

\n Adam Idah<\/a> and Yang Hyun-jun\u00a0have found themselves in an unenviable position of increased scrutiny due to the backdrop of transfer activity. Every bad decision or miscontrolled ball or missed chance is amplified by the ire of ‘What are Celtic doing this summer?!’, which isn’t their fault.\n<\/p>\n

\n However, it’s also true that both need to up their game. Yang, in particular, had an anonymous 60 minutes against St Mirren that will surely have Rodgers considering bringing James Forrest<\/a> back into the fold as a starter.\n<\/p>\n

\n Yang and Forrest pass maps vs St Mirren\n<\/p>\n

\n As you can see from Yang’s pass map (red complete, orange incomplete) above on the left, he was simply far too safe and plodding in possession, consistently moving the ball both backwards and sideways, allowing St Mirren to dig further into their defensive lines. There’s a real lack of urgency to make an impact in the away side’s penalty area, which is what you need from your wingers.\n<\/p>\n

\n Forrest, in contrast, was able to make things happen. Yes, there’s a lower completion percentage on passes, but he was far more direct and busy – it was the spark Celtic needed on the hour mark to finally start to panic the St Mirren defence and leave space for others to threaten.\n<\/p>\n

\n It should be noted that Forrest also had a standout match at Pittodrie in May – an incredibly influential showing on the right flank that helped the Bhoys to a 5-1 victory. Yang was also impressive in that fixture, though he was deployed on the left flank where Daizen Maeda<\/a> will surely feature on Sunday.\n<\/p>\n

\n The game in Aberdeen becomes another early referendum on Celtic’s readiness for the challenges ahead. So what will the team be?\n<\/p>\n

Potential Celtic team vs Aberdeen<\/p>\n

\n Kasper Schmeichel<\/strong> is expected to continue as the team’s number one goalkeeper behind a settled backline of Rodgers’ preferred options right now.\n<\/p>\n

\n Liam Scales<\/strong> was given the nod over Auston Trusty<\/a> and is likely to continue alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers<\/strong>, especially while Simpson-Pusey gets up to speed.\n<\/p>\n

\n Kieran Tierney<\/strong> and Alistair Johnston<\/strong> both had busy afternoons on the opening weekend and will be tasked with those physical battles and attacking support on the flanks again.\n<\/p>\n

\n Captain Callum McGregor<\/strong> continues to be Rodgers’ trusted deep-lying playmaker and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet against the Buddies.\n<\/p>\n

\n Reo Hatate<\/strong> and Benjamin Nygren<\/strong> remain the prime picks in midfield alongside him, despite Luke McCowan<\/a>‘s match-winning cameo last week.\n<\/p>\n

\n As laid out above, James Forrest<\/strong> is a strong candidate to replace Yang, though the South Korean will undoubtedly earn minutes from the bench as the game develops.\n<\/p>\n

\n While I sympathise with the chorus calling for Shin Yamada to be given a chance ahead of Adam Idah<\/strong> today, my prediction is that Rodgers will stick with the Irishman for now.\n<\/p>\n

\n Daizen Maeda<\/strong> is ever-reliable on the left and will be eager to open his account early after such a strong goalscoring campaign last year.\n<\/p>\n

\n Your Predicted XI in full: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Nygren, Hatate, Forrest, Maeda, Idah.\n<\/p>\n

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