Predict the XI: Celtic vs. Malmo (A)

Before every Celtic match, the writers at Read Celtic will role-play (not that kind) and give the fans a chance to get involved as well. We will be playing the role of Ronny Deila choosing the starting XI and how they should line-up on the pitch.

Think yours is better than any of ours? Tweet @ReadCeltic your XI leading up to the next game and you might be picked to have your say on Read Celtic.

Ruairi Daly:

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Lustig (Janko), Boyata, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Johansen, Armstrong; Griffiths

The starting team will largely be the same tomorrow night but for me there are two positions up for grabs and Deila might be tempted to follow suit. The obvious one is the injury to Lustig, which could force him to miss the game. That leaves either Efe Ambrose or Saidy Janko to start if Lustig isn’t fit enough to start.

Unsurprisingly, along with many others, I choose Janko over Ambrose – simply because the Nigerian is a liability in defence. There’s no other explanation needed. At the centre of defence, it’s likely the last time we see the partnership of Boyata and Van Dijk, as the latter’s departure is imminent.

Another big call is who to start at left-back. Does Deila keep his faith in Izaguirre, who has been underwhelming defensively this season or start utility man Charlie Mulgrew. He could come in at left-back and give the team solidity at a position that Izaguirre excelled in previous years. Mulgrew’s expertise from set-pieces could give Celtic chances to score with Malmo’s defence found wanting from set-pieces in the first-leg.

The rest of the team picks itself and remains the same from last time out against Malmo. Bitton and Brown in defensive midfield need to control the pace of the game and the captain needs to set the example for Celtic on the field. Forrest was terrific down the right-hand side and look for him to put Malmo on the back foot again.

Look for Armstrong and Johansen to link up like they did for the first goal and get Griffiths stretching the defence with balls in behind the defence. The striker has earned the number one starting role thanks, in part to Ciftci’s domestic absence. So it’s up to Griffiths to put the tie beyond doubt.

David Walton:

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Bitton, Brown; Armstrong, Johansen, Forrest; Griffiths.

This is a team which I feel picks itself after the first leg at Celtic Park. Logan Bailly put in a decent enough performance against Dundee United last time out, but Craig Gordon will rightly be given his spot back for the qualifier.

I’m going to assume that Lustig will be fit for the Malmo clash, and if so, should regain his spot at right-back despite the impressive performance of Saidy Janko at the weekend. Boyata and Van Dijk must be chosen as the centre-back pairing as Deila sees that as our strongest partnership, and I agree. Charlie Mulgrew is knocking on the door of the left-back berth, and despite Izaguirre’s poor showing in the first leg, I’m going to stick with him here as we have to go with the tried and tested with no risks taken.

Brown and Bitton both pick themselves, as they’ll be imperative to breaking up Malmo’s attacks and getting Celtic going in an attacking sense. These two are the portal between defence and attack, and Deila must play both in order to obtain a result in Sweden.

I felt Armstrong and Forrest both caused Malmo countless problems in the opening exchanges of the game at Celtic Park, therefore it would be foolish to change what was clearly working in the first leg. Johansen had his rest against Dundee United at the weekend, and should be brought back into his attacking midfielder position for the clash.

Another goal for Leigh Griffiths at the weekend consolidated his status as Celtic’s number one striker, with another classy finish being added to his collection. This will be enough to start him in Malmo, and his double in the first leg only strengthens that idea. It’s a team that pretty much picks itself, and I can’t see Deila going any other way.

Conor Mc Cann:

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Johansen, Armstrong; Griffiths

I’ve chosen the same line-up as the previous tie as it seemed to work well, at least offensively. I would hope for a slightly better defensive performance, as I’d be much happier with a 0-0 than a goal fest, as the latter would cause excessive swearing and sweaty palms.

I would expect Commons to be subbed on for Johansen, and Ciftci for Griffiths at some point in the late stages of the game. The key to this game is controlling possession and if we do lose possession, make sure to get into a good defensive shape to stop the dangerous Malmo counter-attack, I can envisage a few cards coming out for this one, a few comments from the managers and players have added some more tension to the melting pot.