Predicted XI with Iheanacho, Engels and Forrest to start for Celtic | OneFootball

Celtic face Hibernian this afternoon as Brendan Rodgers’ side return to Paradise. The Scottish Champions face off against the visitors from Easter Rd.

After the 1-1 draw against Red Star at Belgrade, it is expected that the Celtic manager will make a couple of changes to the squad given that there are still some injuries to contend with. Reo Hatate joins Jota, Alistair Johnston and Auston Trusty on the treatment table.

Kasper Schmeichel will continue in goals. In defence, expect an unchanged backline with Colby Donovan continuing at right back with KT at left back. There is an argument that Marcelo Saracchi could started especially with the midweek game against Braga and the same goes at right back with Tony Ralston now available after injury.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales will continue as the central pairing. CCV seemed to take a knock in Belgrade but the manager didn’t flag him up as a doubt at yesterday’s media conference, attended by The Celtic Star.

In midfield, Callum McGregor will start with Benji Nygren. Given that Reo is likely to sit this one out, any of Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo could come in. The Portuguese U21 skipper has struggled for game time this season with fans wondering why. Hopefully he can get some minutes in his legs as there’s definitely a talent there.

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

In attack, Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to start through the middle. The Nigerian attacker has impressed since signing from Sevilla. James Forrest and Seb Tounekti are expected to start out wide.

Predicted Celtic starting XI: Schmeichel; Donovan, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Forrest, Iheanacho and Tounekti.