Murray And Iheanacho To Start? | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian | OneFootball

It was not an easy tie for Celtic, who travelled to Serbia to lock horns with Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League. But they grabbed a result, even though Kelechi Iheanacho’s opener was cancelled out by Marko Arnautovic midway through the second half. The Hoops must now focus on the weekend’s clash, as they will host Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.

Hibs, so far, are unbeaten in the Premiership but have drawn four of their five Premiership encounters. They suffered a 2-0 League Cup defeat against the struggling Rangers, followed by a disappointing 2-2 draw on the road with the newly-promoted Falkirk. While they defeated the Bhoys at Easter Road earlier this year, Celtic claimed comprehensive wins in all four Parkhead meetings throughout the previous campaign.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel was denied his fifth successive league clean sheet when Kilmarnock’s David Watson found the net at Rugby Park. The veteran Dane must stay alert between the sticks, with the visitors capable of causing an upset against the odds.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 09: Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Although Anthony Ralston is back in the squad, their teenage right-back Colby Donovan got the nod amid Alistair Johnston’s injury absence. Brendan Rodgers might bank on Ralston’s experience in the starting XI amid uncertainties over Cameron Carter-Vickers’ availability. The USMNT centre-half was struggling at the backend of the Red Star Belgrade outing, and the gaffer must not risk his defensive ace with the academy graduate Dane Murray making strides despite limited opportunities.

Auston Trusty is still nursing a foot injury, thus leaving Rodgers with no choice but to rely on Liam Scales once again. Having regained his match fitness, Kieran Tierney should keep his place down the left ahead of Marcelo Saracchi. The latter could grab some minutes as a second-half substitute for the Scottish star.

Midfield

Celtic have a stable three-man midfield of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren. McGregor would drive the show from the base as a deep-lying playmaker, and his composure, vision and distribution allow Hatate and Nygren to control the pockets and half-spaces with box-to-box movements and down-the-middle runs. Arne Engels, who lost his starting status following Nygren’s summer arrival, could be involved at some point along with Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo.

Attack

Rodgers’ decision to take Daizen Maeda off at the break worked in Celtic’s favour when the substitute Iheanacho found the net minutes into the second half. The Nigerian has either scored or assisted in all three appearances, and the manager must now utilise his poaching traits. Maeda could be shifted to the left if Iheanacho starts, and Sebastian Tounekti might be preferred on the right-hand flank over James Forrest, Hyun-Jun Yang and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.