For the Celtic fans in the Transfer Tavern, this champagne campaign under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers continues to get better and better, with the Bhoys having kept a hold of their prized assets to cap off an excellent few months.
The Bhoys managed to ward off Chelsea as the Blues reportedly eyed Craig Gordon and Moussa Dembele and the Hoops propping up the bar can all breathe a sigh of relief on that front. In truth, player exits at this stage is really their only worry, with the league title all but wrapped up already.
So, a trip to St. Johnstone to face the side Brendan Rodgers managed to equal the infamous Lisbon Lions’ unbeaten record against obviously has the Glaswegians in the bar waxing poetic about life right now. One of the most promising signs this term has been the fact the team don’t look like taking their foot off the gas, so many of our locals don’t expect their trip to Perthshire to be much different.
With that in mind, here’s the 4-2-3-1 XI he should field.
GK: Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon’s return to form has been there for all to see, even impressing the likes of Chelsea it seems. The Scotland international will have to keep his patience up, with Celtic likely to boast most of the ball.
RB: Mikael Lustig
Crucial to Celtic’s attacking playe, the super Swede will look to break behind enemy lines and, after recently signing a new deal at Parkhead, has firmly established himself as a favourite within the Tavern.
CB: Jozo Simunovic
Linked with moves south of the border, the Croatian has recovered rather well from a botched move to Torino and a spate of injuries in green and white. The 22-year-old is a wonderful option to have in central defence, perhaps the most imposing in the league, and is a huge part of Rodgers’ ongoing project.
CB: Erik Sviatchenko
Having reportedly snubbed Deadline Day interest from England, the 25-year-old Denmark international is the ideal partner for Simunovic, despite the improving form of Derick Boyata recently.
LB: Kieran Tierney
Following his recent performances, you’d be forgiven for thinking Kieran Tierney never missed a game after a gruesome ailment. An absolutely wonderful attacking threat from the left, the 19-year-old’s return is a huge boost.
CM: Scott Brown
Perhaps the player to have improved most under Rodgers, having looked like a shell of his former self during the late Ronny Deila era, Scott Brown is once again a tireless presence in midfield, giving the Hoops a physical presence as a balance to their silky attacking play.
CM: Nir Bitton
Like Brown, Bitton offers protection, though is probably a classier distributor in getting the ball forward into attacking areas at pace. The two make an ideal pivot for a side as dominant as the Bhoys.
RM: James Forrest
Things have stalled since a wonderful start to the season, though James Forrest’s searing pace down the right flank has seen him play his way back into the side. With so much possession, the Scotland international can be a lethal outlet.
CM: Stuart Armstrong
Only second to Brown as the most improved player over the last few months, Stuart Armstrong has impressed all over the park this term. Having been handed more of a starting berth recently, the 24-year-old can now operate as a silky No.10.
LM: Scott Sinclair
Looking more and more like the player who impressed oh so much at Swansea, he’s a threat from the wings AND moving into the central striking position. Outside of Dembele, he’s been the Bhoys’ best player this term.
ST: Moussa Dembele
Such is the clinical nature of his form, the Frenchman was recently linked with a big money move to Chelsea. The Frenchman is looking like a complete striker in every sense and, with Leigh Griffiths out injured, will surely lead the line.
