Tierney At The Back, Nygren Must Start | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Dundee | OneFootball

Amid all the catastrophe at Rangers across the town, Celtic’s below-par run has been largely unnoticed so far this season. While they clinched a late comeback against Motherwell before the break, the Sunday lunchtime encounter against the struggling Dundee should be a stroll in the park at Dens Park. A setback would find Celtic further behind Hearts, who already have a two-point cushion over the reigning champions.

Although the Hoops registered a thumping 6-0 victory in their previous meeting, Arne Engels’ injury-time spot-kick secured a thrilling 3-3 draw when these two sides clashed heads in Dundee earlier this year. However, the hosts have only secured one win in eight league games, and a defeat this weekend might see them drop to the bottom if Aberdeen win against St Mirren on Saturday afternoon.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Dundee

Defence

The Bhoys have Kasper Schmeichel as their first-choice custodian, but they must find a long-term successor to the 38-year-old Dane, with Viljami Sinisalo waiting for his opportunities between the sticks.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his team’s third goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic have a couple of key absentees in the defensive third, as both Alistair Johnston and Auston Trusy remain sidelined with their respective injury concerns. Anthony Ralston must keep his place down the right, and Brendan Rodgers should stick with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales as the preferred central defensive pairing. Marcelo Saracchi’s arrival has helped Kieran Tierney take his time in regaining match fitness, but the Scotsman would reclaim the starting spot, replacing the Uruguayan on the left.

Midfield

The Celts have ample options in the centre of the pitch, as they bolstered their midfield this summer by snapping up Benjamin Nygren. The Swedish international should operate from the right as a ‘number 8’, along with Reo Hatate, who has been key to Celtic’s success over the past few years.

Meanwhile, skipper Callum McGregor must offer more from the base with his vision, experience and the ability to orchestrate the game as a deep-lying playmaker. Engels, as well as Paulo Bernardo and the ex-Dundee playmaker Luke McCowan, could be involved from the bench as second-half substitutes.

Attack

After a difficult couple of months, both on and off the pitch, Daizen Maeda finally made an impact by scoring a last-gasp winner against Motherwell. The Japanese attacking ace is expected to feature from the wide, thus making way for Kelechi Iheanacho up top, who has impressed since joining on a Bosman transfer.

Neither Sebastian Tounekti nor Michel-Ange Balikwisha has settled in yet upon joining the Glasgow giants late in the summer window. But the latter should get the nod, particularly after setting up Maeda in the five-goal thriller at Celtic Park. Besides Tounekti, James Forrest, Yang Hyun-jun and Johnny Kenny are likely to challenge and cover the first-team trio from the bench.