Carter-Vickers Is Ruled Out | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian | OneFootball

Celtic are back in action at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon after settling for a 1-1 draw with their Old Firm rivals Rangers on the south side of the River Clyde. The champions will host Hibernian in a dead rubber fixture; however, they must aim for all three points and build momentum ahead of locking horns with Aberdeen later this month in the Scottish Cup final.

Conversely, Hibs are battling for a third-place finish, banking on a stellar run of results. Although they suffered a 2-0 Parkhead defeat in the Cup a couple of months back, Brendan Rodgers’ men were completely outplayed at Easter Road in the reverse fixture.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel, out with a shoulder injury, is eyeing a return for the Scottish Cup final. The veteran Dane must not be rushed, particularly with Viljami Sinisalo’s emergence between the sticks following last month’s international break.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 09: Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Arne Engels and Cameron Carter-Vickers during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic also have two major crises in the backline. Alistair Johnston continues to be sidelined with a hip injury, and a fresh hamstring issue has now ruled Cameron Carter-Vickers out for at least two weeks. While Anthony Ralston is expected to keep his place down the right, the gaffer must decide who to opt for between Maik Nawrocki and Auston Trusty to partner with Liam Scales in the heart of the backline. A nod to Nawrocki makes more sense as it would offer balance and a left-foot-right-foot combination in deep defence. Left-back Greg Taylor should make it to the starting XI ahead of Jeffrey Schlupp.

Midfield

Callum McGregor should drive the show from the base of Celtic’s three-man midfield. His vision, distribution, technicality and ball-carrying traits would create space in Hibs’ half. The Scotsman’s presence down the deep should allow Arne Engels and Reo Hatate to make box-to-box movements and operate in the advanced areas of the pitch. Meanwhile, the manager must involve Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan at some stage to rotate his first-team stars and avoid further fitness concerns.

Attack

The Hoops are decimated down the flanks with Jota ruled out for nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. Nicolas Kuhn remains uncertain due to a knee problem, thus leaving them with James Forrest, Daizen Maeda and Hyun-Jun Yang as the only available wide attacking options.

Veteran Forrest is expected to retain his starting status on the right, whereas in-form Maeda would operate from the left to incorporate Adam Idah high up the pitch. Young Johnny Kenny might grab some minutes as Idah’s understudy.