Ange Postecoglou has named his starting Celtic team as he bids to secure the Scottish Premiership title.
The Hoops can officially be crowned champions in the capital if they defeat Hearts at Tynecastle. It would mean a second successive league triumph for the Aussie boss as he looks to secure a domestic Treble this season. The League Cup is already in the bag while Inverness stand between the Parkhead side and the Scottish Cup after a semi-final win over Rangers last weekend.
Celtic go into the Gorgie clash without key defender Cameron Carter-Vickers who has undergone successful surgery to fix an injury issue with the USA international playing through the pain barrier of late. Postecoglou confirmed in his post-match comments after defeating Michael Beale's men at Hampden that his campaign was over.
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Alistair Johnston also suffered a nasty knock in that game and was pictured on crutches and in a moon boot following the 1-0 win. Jota was the matchwinner that day as he remained alert alongside Daizen Maeda to punish a sleeping Rangers backline.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Tynecastle, Ange said: “This group of players have experienced this kind of build-up to a big game over the last 20-odd months. We were in this position last year and have played some cup finals and semi-finals.
“They know in the big games there is always hype around them and there are outcomes that can be pretty special at the end of it.
'They’re human beings and they know what’s at stake and the potential of a positive result but they are pretty good at sticking to playing our football.'
“They will take that into the game but their focus will be clear on playing our football. It’s a difficult place to play. Hearts have plenty to play for and the beauty of it is that if we do win it, we will have to earn it and that’s how you want to do it.”
CELTIC XI: Hart, Ralston, Starfelt, Kobayashi, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo.
Subs: Bain, Haksabanovic, Abada, Mooy, Turnbull, Oh, Iwata, Bernabei, Lawal.
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