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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Predicted Celtic team for Hibs clash as Yosuke Ideguchi battles for key role on Parkhead debut

Ange Postecoglou has some big calls to make over his new Celtic recruits going into the clash with Hibs.

New signings Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda could make their debuts at Celtic Park against Shaun Maloney's side.

Kyogo looks set to miss out having been left out by Japan due to a hamstring complaint, which could open a door for striker Maeda.

The forward finished as the top scorer in the J-League and looks set to get the nod, with injury doubts lingering over Albian Ajeti and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

(SNS Group)

David Turnbull's absence also leaves Postecoglou with a decision to make in the midfield.

James McCarthy started the Boxing Day fixture against St Johnstone before the winter shutdown, but versatile Hatate could be given a chance from the start.

New signing Ideguchi will hope to be involved, but with Callum McGregor set to return to the holding midfield role the defensive-minded former Leeds man may have to settle for a place on the bench.

The fans returning to Parkhead tonight following the Scottish Government's 500 fan cap will be hoping to see Jota make his return to the XI.

(SNS Group)

The Benfica loanee was snapped at Lennoxtown as he ramped up his return from a hamstring injury, but it could come just too soon for a starting spot.

James Forrest looks like the most likely starter on the left with Liel Abada on the right, though Postecoglou hasn't been afraid to play the Scotsman on the left, having previously used him in the role against Alkmaar.

The backline will have a more familiar look with Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt all in running again for a top team return.

But a big decision needs to be made at right-back between Anthony Ralston and Josip Juranovic.

While Scotland cap Ralston has enjoyed an unbelievable rise to prominence at Celtic this season under Postecoglou, Croat Juranovic will be first-pick for the manager in his preferred right-back slot.

Joe Hart was an injury absentee during the winter break, but is set to be back between the sticks ahead of Vasilis Barkas.

Predicted Celtic staring XI

Hart, Taylor, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Juranovic, Hatate, McGregor, Rogic, Forrest, Abada, Maeda

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