Balancing Act: A Celtic-Ross County Preview

CELTIC V ROSS COUNTY: SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP; SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 3:00PM

Celtic return to league duty after our midweek exertions against PSG as we take on Ross County at Celtic Park.

Team Selection: Brendan Rodgers has some interesting team selections to make as Celtic’s non-stop schedule continues. With Rangers a week away and Dundee in the league cup midweek, changes will be made from the side which faced PSG on Tuesday.

Scott Brown is playing like he needs a rest, and both Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor seem likely to start. The game also seems tailor-made for Jonny Hayes, as he bids to kick-start his Celtic career, and it will be interesting to see if Anthony Ralston keeps his place in the team. Moussa Dembele could well get some game time, probably from the substitutes bench as he makes his return from injury but the game has probably come too early for Dedryck Boyata.

Previous Meetings: Celtic won 4-0 in Dingwall in October, with goals from Roberts, Armstrong, Sinclair and Dembele

at Celtic Park in December goals from Erik Sviatchenko and Stuart Armstrong sealed a 2-0 win

in a highly controversial game in April, the teams drew 2-2 after County were awarded a highly debatable penalty, shortly followed by Scott Brown receiving a red card. On the plus side, Patrick Roberts did score a fine solo goal.

Prediction: Even with a host of changes that could be made, Celtic should have more than enough in our reserve to run-up a comfortable victory, some game time for Moussa Dembele would be a bonus.

Celtic 4 Ross County 0