Ange Postecoglou is braced for another defensive crisis as Anthony Ralston remains a fitness doubt.
The Scotland international was forced off against Livingston with a back problem and midfielder Reo Hatate filled in capably at right-back for Celtic's Christmas Eve clash with St Johnstone - with two goals to boot. Josip Juranovic won't be available for the Easter Road meeting after just recently returning from Croatia's successful World Cup campaign.
James McCarthy remains sidelined with a lengthy hamstring problem and young defender Stephen Welsh misses out with an undisclosed niggling injury. Postecoglou said: "We will see about Ralston. There was improvement yesterday and there was improvement today. We obviously have an extra day's break for this game, so we will assess it as we move along. It's unlikely Josip will play. He will get back but because he had a minor injury as well, he probably hasn't done too much. We'll assess him when he gets in but I think it's unlikely."
Predicted Celtic XI
After a sloppy home display against Livingston, Postecoglou threatened to ring the changes. He did exactly that against St Johnstone and the Australian boss was rewarded as his side put Saints to the sword with a 4-1 thumping. Club legend James Forrest earned a rare start and could get the go-ahead for tonight's game. After a strong deputising performance, Reo Hatate will probably feature at full-back again.
Daizen Maeda's pace was an asset against St Johnstone, so it's expected that Postecoglou will utilise him again tonight. The Celtic boss could be tempted to go with the physicality of Giorgios Giakoumakis against a strong Hibs side but Kyogo's two goals on Saturday should see him keep his place.
Provisional Celtic squad
Goalkeepers
- Joe Hart,
- Benjamin Siegrist
- Scott Bain
Defenders
- Greg Taylor
- Anthony Ralston
- Moritz Jenz
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Alexandro Bernabei
- Carl Starfelt
- Bosun Lawal
Midfielders
- Reo Hatate
- Aaron Mooy
- Matt O’Riley
- Callum McGregor
- Oliver Abildgaard
- David Turnbull
Forwards
- Liel Abada
- James Forrest
- Kyogo Furuhashi
- Sead Haksabanovic
- Jota
- Daizen Maeda
- Giorgos Giakoumakis
