Oxlade-Chamberlain Must Start | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian | OneFootball

Celtic finally had a reality check on Thursday night when they were thrashed 1-4 by VfB Stuttgart at Parkhead in the first leg of the Europa League playoff round. The Hoops grabbed scrappy wins against Kilmarnock and Livingston in the league, and the upcoming tie with Hibernian could bring more misery, unless they step up their performance, with two Old Firm clashes on the horizon over the next couple of weeks.

Hibs, who are heading for a top-half finish, held Celtic to a stalemate at Parkhead early in the season. The Celts clinched an edgy 2-1 win at Easter Road in the reverse fixture; however, it won’t be a stroll in the park for Martin O’Neill’s men on Sunday afternoon, particularly after a catastrophic European display against the Bundesliga side.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel has struggled all season between the sticks, but he had a new low this midweek, conceding 4 times from 2.10 xGOT. Yet the 39-year-old is expected to retain his ‘number 1’ status until his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Jeff Chabot of VfB Stuttgart is challenged by Callum McGregor of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Julian Araujo has restored quality down the right following his January loan from Bournemouth. With Alistair Johnston sidelined, the Mexican fullback should keep his place ahead of Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan. Benjamin Arthur has only been brought in as a backup, as the on-loan Brentford centre-back, along with the young academy graduate Dane Murray, would continue as the understudy to Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in the heart of the backline. Kieran Tierney must be rotated with Marcelo Saracchi, who has impressed on the left since his return from a brief injury layoff.

Midfield

Arne Engels is ruled out for at least a month. But the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a massive boost, given Reo Hatate’s dismal form and Paulo Bernardo’s mediocrity in the middle of the park. The former Liverpool star must be lined up alongside Benjamin Nygren as the box-to-box options, with the latter being a standout performer, depicting his creative spark and poaching attributes in and around the opponents’ box. Skipper Callum McGregor would drive the game from the base, exhibiting his expertise as a deep-lying playmaker. Besides Hatate and Bernardo, Luke McCowan could also be deployed from the bench as a second-half substitute.

Tomas Cvancara is trying hard to make the opportunities count high up the pitch. Although he had a quiet night in Europe, O’Neill should stick with him before Junior Adamu and fit-again Kelechi Iheanacho. Daizen Maeda and Sebastian Tounekti might operate from the flanks. But the attacking duo would be challenged and covered by Hyun-jun Yang, James Forrest, Joel Mvuka and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who are desperate for minutes in and around the attacking third.