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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Celtic squad revealed as David Turnbull return leaves Ange Postecoglou with Reo Hatate dilemma

Celtic star David Turnbull will bring his three-month lay-off to an end against Ross County.

The playmaker hasn't been seen since his hamstring tear in the Premier Sports Cup Final back in December, and will hope to make an impact against the Staggies.

Reo Hatate and Matt O'Riley had been battling it out for the attacking midfielder roles, but Turnbull's return leaves Postecoglou with a decision to make.

Hatate has kept a relentless pace having completed a J-League campaign, and could make way for a fit-again Turnbull.

A starting spot would be a gamble - but Postecoglou has admitted he had been "overly cautious" with the midfielder and could have thrown him in against Dundee United.

David Turnbull is back to full fitness for Celtic (SNS Group)

Wide men Jota and Liel Abada are fit again which could lead to a shake up with front three, with Daizen Maeda and James Forrest picking up roles on the flanks in the Scottish Cup victory.

James Forrest will be out against County with muscle issue, and will join long-term Celtic absentee Kyogo Furuhashi on the sidelines.

The Japan cap is ramping up his return from injury behind the scenes at Lennoxtown but isn't yet ready to make a first-team return.

Predicted Celtic XI

Expect Daizen Maeda to drop out for a returning Jota, with Liel Abada returning to fitness at the right time to step in for James Forrest.

Reo Hatate is likely to be given the nod ahead of David Turnbull from the start but a cameo is on the cards for the Scotland cap.

Ange Postecoglou will likely stick with his tried and tested back four.

Provisional Celtic squad

Vasilis Barkas

Joe Hart

Scott Bain

Christopher Jullien

Greg Taylor

Carl Starfelt

Liam Scales

Nir Bitton

Giorgos Giakoumakis

Liel Abada

Ismaila Soro

James McCarthy

Jota

Mikey Johnston

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Matt O'Riley

Reo Hatate

Dane Murray

David Turnbull

Anthony Ralston

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