Celtic have altered their starting team with four new players for the league game against Hearts at their home stadium. Manager Martin O’Neill has adjusted his selection after a loss in Europe against Benfica last Thursday, a 4-1 defeat in which Camilo Duran scored the consolation goal.
The side to play Hearts includes Sinisalo, Donovan, Murray, Scales, Tierney, McGregor as captain, Baur, Nygren, Hassan, Osmand, and Durán. Liam Scales joins the defensive line with Colby Donovan, Dane Murray and Kieran Tierney, coming in for Auston Trusty. Benjamin Nygren is back in midfield, and Haissem Hassan and Callum Osmand begin in attack, with Osmand replacing Kasper Hogh.
Celtic, who lead the Premiership, seek a quick recovery at home. They are first in the Premiership with 21 points from eight games, having recorded seven wins and one loss. They are ahead of Rangers by a single point. Their most recent home match was a large win over Hearts, a performance they aim to repeat. That match ended Celtic 7-1 Heart Of Midlothian on Saturday 17 October, with goals from Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, a brace from Callum Osmand, an own goal, and Camilo Duran.
The team's recent form, however, shows two wins and three losses from their last five matches across all competitions. O’Neill’s available substitutes are Johnstone, Trusty, Jota, Høgh, Emenalo, Sørensen, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mheuka, and Forrest. The manager expects the new selections to continue the team's positive league run. Forward Camilo Durán heads the offensive line as the team's top scorer this season with four goals in eight appearances.
Hearts also played in Europe this week, preparing rapidly for this league contest. Celtic's following game is away to Hibernian on Sunday 25 October. The side has scored 16 goals and conceded only four in the league this season, giving them a goal difference of plus twelve.
Read the full report at celticfc.com
