Jim Goodwin has a decision to make ahead of a first league outing for his new-look Aberdeen squad.
The Pittodrie boss has been busy over the summer, adding nine new faces to his ranks as he looks to massively improve on what was a dismal campaign last term. He may have lost Lewis Ferguson from his midfield after the Scotland international made a £3million switch to Bologna, but that, along with the money received from Liverpool for Calvin Ramsay, has been reinvested in the squad with £1.3million spent so far.
Ylber Ramadani has been added to the engine room, while Notts County loanee Callum Roberts provided another option out wide. Jayden Richardson is Ramsay’s direct replacement at right back and will start this afternoon’s Premiership opener away to champions Celtic. It’s up front where he has the biggest call to make, however. American hitman Christian Ramirez has returned refreshed after being given a few weeks off towards the end of last season to head home across the pond and recharge the batteries. It’s a call that seems to have paid off, with Ramirez bagging four goals in three Premier Sports Cup appearances so far.
He’ll likely lead the line at Parkhead, but whether or not he’ll be partnered with Luis lopes remains to be seen. ‘Duk’ was signed from Portuguese giants Benfica in a £400,000 swoop, but may have to settle for a place on the bench rather than Goodwin opting to go with two up top at a notoriously difficult venue for the Dons.
Connor Barron will miss out with a knee injury. The teenager has been linked with a move to Celtic over the course of the summer, but won’t get the chance to impress in Glasgow’s east end this afternoon. Liam Scales will also miss out against his parent club.
Predicted XI
Here's how Aberdeen could line up against Celtic.
Provisional squad
Kelle Roos
Joe Lewis
Anthony Stewart
David Bates
Hayden Coulson
Jack MacKenzie
Jack Milne
Kieran Ngwenya
Jayden Richardson
Ross McCrorie
Ylber Ramadani
Ryan Duncan
Dante Polvara
Jonny Hayes
Vicente Besuijen
Matty Kennedy
Marley Watkins
Connor MacLennan
Christian Ramirez
Bojan Miovski
Luis Lopes
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