Celtic know that anything less than a win at Tannadice this afternoon hands Rangers the Premiership title.
Gers sealed a 3-0 win over St Mirren yesterday to ensure one hand was on the trophy for the first time in 10 years. And they’ll be able to grab it with both hands, officially and mathematically, if Celts fail to win today.
John Kennedy, in just his second game as interim manager after a 1-0 win over Aberdeen last week, must pick a winning team again but has a few positions he may well be unsure of right up until kick-off in Dundee at midday.
Here at Herald and Times Sport, we’ve made our prediction of Kennedy’s XI in the crunch match.
SCOTT BAIN
Former Dundee goalkeeper Bain has established himself as Celtic’s number one in recent weeks and will continue between the sticks today.
He has made some top class saves in recent weeks - including an outstanding stop to keep out Ash Taylor last week - and there’s no reason to drop him this weekend.
JONJOE KENNY
Kenny has been steady for Celtic since joining on loan from Everton. He gets forward and can put in dangerous deliveries but his defensive work has not suffered.
KRIS AJER
He’s turned into Celtic’s main man at the back recently and will look to continue that run of form this afternoon.
He seems to enjoy helping guide Stephen Welsh through matches and will look to do so again today.
STEPHEN WELSH
Continues to look good at the back these days and has benefitted from having Ajer beside him. Celtic really need a consistent back-four which they’ve struggled for this season but expect Kennedy to look for that as the campaign comes to a conclusion.
DIEGO LAXALT
With Greg Taylor injured it seems highly likely that AC Milan loanee Laxalt will continue in his stead.
The Uruguayan has been average this term, it must be said, but is their best option without Taylor.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
He doesn’t miss many games for the first-team and won’t miss this one. McGregor is another top Parkhead star that has failed to reach his usual standard of performance this season but, when called upon, he always gives his best.
SCOTT BROWN
If time is ticking on Brown’s career, the Celtic captain won’t show it. He always hopes to play from the start, though these days he doesn’t demand it.
He will play against the Tangerines, we expect, as there is too much riding on the result for the Hoops to keep their most influential voice on the bench.
MOI ELYOUNOUSSI
Provides a creative spark for Celtic and seems to enjoy playing against United. I imagine he’ll play a wider role if Kennedy looks to for his team to get crosses in the box.
I don’t see Elyounoussi being picked to play a number 10 role if David Turnbull is available.
DAVID TURNBULL
He has been Celtic’s brightest spark this season as he seems to come up with big goals and important assists. It’ll be hard for Scotland boss Steve Clarke to ignore him and, with the season running down, he’ll be desperate to score as many more goals as he can to ensure he’s on that squad list.
He’ll probably play just behind Celtic’s striker Odsonne Edouard.
RYAN CHRISTIE
He always seems to start for Celtic, even if his form takes any sort of dip which it has in recent weeks.
He’s not been his usual self which could coincide with Turnbull’s run in the team and the expectation of playing a wider. Still, Neil Lennon loved him and Kennedy seems to like him, too, so don’t expect him to miss out.
ODSONNE EDOUARD
Edouard has been in good goal scoring form this season despite the campaign not panning out how his side would’ve wanted. 21 goals in 34 appearances is no mean feat either way.
He’ll play from the start, he always will when he’s fit.
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