Team’s Up – Johnstone starts for Celtic as Hogh returns | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic team for this evening’s match against St Johnstone. The manager of the Scottish Champions has made some big calls for the game at McDiarmid Park, bringing Sam Johnstone in as No.1, giving a first start to Oliver Sorensen in midfield and starting Dane Murray and Hogh.

In goals, ex-West Brom and Palace stopper Sam Johnstone starts ahead of Vil Sinisalo. MON wanted another goalkeeper to compete with the young Finn and it appears that Johnstone has impressed, earning a chance to start.

In defence, Liam Scales starts at left back with KT working his way back from injury to make the bench and Landon Emenalo, who is injured. The Irishman starts alongside Auston Trusty and Murray as the central pairing with Colby Donovan at RB. There is no Cameron Carter-Vickers in the squad.

Callum McGregor captains the side and anchors the midfield beside Mika Baur. Benji Nygren drops to the bench.

Seb Tounekti starts out left with Haissen Hassan on the right and Kasper Hogh through the middle. Camilo Duran starts from the bench.

Subs: Sinisalo, Lotomba, Nygren, Duran, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mheuka, Van der Berg, Forrest & Tierney.

Clearly MON is ringing the changes with fixture congestion in mind. However, he has the depth to compete in a number of positions. The centre back position is somewhat concerning for Celtic, however, as Carter-Vickers misses out.

The Scottish Champions face the Saints at this evening as O’Neill’s side enters a gruelling schedule on all fronts. Sunday brings the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final at Ibrox before the first league meeting between the sides the following week at Celtic Park. Sandwiched between the Glasgow Derby meetings, Celtic kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign by hosting Ferencvaros at Celtic Park.

Unlike the meeting at Ibrox at the weekend, Celtic will be backed by a sizeable away support with the Perth club opting for ticket revenue rather than empty stands.