O’Neill To Make A Change? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian | OneFootball

The title race is heating up in the Premiership, as Celtic are now within three points of league leaders Hearts following last gameweek’s victory over Falkirk. Rangers’ defeat against Motherwell saw them climb up to second in the league standings, but a tricky test now awaits the Hoops at Easter Road, with Hibernian set to host the reigning Scottish champions on Sunday afternoon.

Celtic have mostly dominated this fixture in the recent past, even though the outcome has hardly been one-sided. Their previous meeting in Edinburgh resulted in the Bhoys’ favour, as did the Parkhead fixture earlier this year. Martin O’Neill’s men won 2-1 on both occasions, but they settled for a stalemate back in September when Brendan Rodgers was still in charge.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

O’Neill has brought Celtic back into the hunt for a ‘domestic double’ with a four-game winning streak, and Viljami Sinisalo, featuring between the sticks in the wake of Kasper Schmeichel’s shoulder injury, has made his opportunities count by restoring the stability in the last line of defence.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 25: Kieran Tierney of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with his teammates during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Alsitair Johnston’s return is a massive boost for the Celts. But his minutes must be managed carefully over the final five games of their campaign. Anthony Ralston should keep his place on the right, with the Canadian expected to be involved as a second-half substitute. Auston Trusty and Liam Scales have been the preferred central defensive pair amid Cameron Carter-Vickers’ season-ending injury sustained last year, and the gaffer should stick with the US-Irish duo over Dane Murray or Benjamin Arthur. Kieran Tierney must feature from the left but might make way for Marcelo Saracchi late in the contest.

Midfield

Arne Engels is now available again in the centre of the pitch, and the Belgian’s presence alongside skipper Callum McGregor as the ‘double pivot’ offers composure and control in terms of marshalling the defence and scripting attacking transitions from the deep.

Benjamin Nygren has been the Hoops’ most efficient performer with timely goals and assists as an advanced playmaker. James Forrest was handed a rare start against Falkirk, but the manager might drop him this weekend in favour of Sebastian Tounekti, who laid it on for Daizen Maeda as a second-half substitute and restored the two-goal cushion. Yang Hyun-Jun should operate from the right, and the likes of Forrest, Luke McCowan, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Reo Hatate could be introduced from the bench to slot in various midfield roles.

Maeda is back in form after a dreadful run, as he scored twice and assisted once in their 3-1 win against the Bairns. The Japanese ace must spearhead the attack ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho, Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu.