Celtic must bounce back from successive Old Firm setbacks before the international window, when they will clash heads with Motherwell on Sunday lunchtime. It won’t be a stroll in the park for them at Fir Park, even though the Steelmen have struggled of late with three back-to-back league defeats, failing to maintain last season’s form.

The Hoops clinched an edgy win back in May, thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s injury-time winner. However, they suffered a 2-0 defeat on New Year’s Eve, and the gaffer Martin O’Neill must not let them script another upset ahead of a gruelling run of games across both domestic competitions and European fixtures.

Viljami Sinisalo lost his starting spot to Sam Johnstone for a couple of fixtures before reclaiming the ‘number 1’ status after the veteran Englishman conceded three times against Rangers. The Northern Irish boss should rely on him again, despite defeats to Ferencvaros and the Light Blues in their own backyard.

MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND – MAY 13: Kieran Tierney of Celtic crosses the ball, which is blocked by Ibrahim Said of Motherwell during the William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on May 13, 2026 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

O’Neill switched to a rare ‘back three’ against the Gers but must revert to his traditional four-man backline. Alistair Johnston has returned to training at Lennoxtown, but the Canadian must not be rushed given his persistent injury woes. Colby Donovan must retain the right-back role ahead of Anthony Ralston and Jordan Lotomba. Kieran Tierney remains irreplaceable on the left, with his understudy, Landon Emenalo, still nursing a pre-existing injury. Versatile Liam Scales might get the nod over Auston Trusty to partner with Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of the backline.

Celtic lost Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo in the summer but restored parity by signing Mika Baur, Joel van den Berg and Oliver Sorensen. Jurgen Klopp rewarded Baur with his senior debut during the break, and the German international must now showcase his midfield mastery alongside skipper Callum McGregor as the ‘double pivot’. Van den Berg, pictured in a protective boot, remains a doubt, but Sorensen, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke McCowan could be introduced as second-half substitutes.

Benjamin Nygren is an automatic choice for his creative spark and scoring ability as a ‘number 10’, and the manager must opt for Haissem Hassan and Camilo Duran down the flanks, with James Forrest and Sebastian Tounekti as understudies of the high-profile summer signings. Yang Hyun-jun was part of South Korea’s Asian Games squad but picked up a hamstring issue in Japan.

Club-record recruit Kasper Høgh has not found the net since his hat-trick against Kilmarnock. Yet he is expected to lead the attack over Shumaira Mheuka and Callum Osmand.