Predicted XI: Celtic vs. Dundee (H)

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 game and you might be picked to have your say on Read Celtic in the future.

Ruairi Daly

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Janko, Boyata, Simunovic, Izaguirre; Bitton, Brown; Mackay-Steven, Rogic, Forrest, Griffiths

Following Thursday night’s draw away to Ajax there are some changes needed in defence for Dundee’s visit to Paradise. Gordon keeps his place in goal and can hopefully get his first clean sheet since August 9th against Partick Thistle.

Janko should take the place of Lustig who left the field with cramp. Izaguirre played well until he picked up his second yellow for a silly challenge but should be given a chance to redeem himself on Sunday. The two centre backs should remain the same to get more playing time together and can hopefully build a partnership similar to that of Denayer and van Dijk.

Bitton should keep his place in the squad and Brown could be given a rest considering the stories of his fitness and injury problems it might not be worth the risk against Dundee. If Brown is rested, Johansen or Rogic could slot in beside Bitton.

The latter could also play in the number ten role this Sunday after impressing last month in the Hoops shirt. Out wide Gary Mackay-Steven should play against his former rivals. Armstrong still isn’t fit to play, so Forrest should get the nod on the wing.

Up front, I would be tempted to start Ciftci to get his first goal against his former Dundee rivals. Griffiths gave it everything up front on Thursday and could have scored on a different day with some of the chances he had. I expect the Scot to start on Sunday and help Celtic to another domestic win this season.

David Walton

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Janko, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney; Brown, Allan; Forrest, Commons, Rogic; Ciftci

I have decided to shake up my team for this weekend’s match against Dundee at Celtic Park, with certain players needing game time ahead of the match against Raith Rovers in the League Cup during the week. I have always had the opinion that you should play the same team you would play in a cup game the game before the cup match, so let me explain my selections.

Gordon will keep his place in goals despite being off the pace in recent games, another poor performance this weekend, however, Bailly should get an opportunity in the League Cup. I don’t think Lustig is fit, and on the evidence of the Ajax game, I still stand by that. So, for that reason, I would give Janko some deserved game time, especially as he will likely play against Raith in midweek.

The defensive duo of Boyata and new-man Simunovic impressed me greatly in Amsterdam, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them this weekend. With Izaguirre being given a red card in Amsterdam, I would give Tierney the opportunity to impress as Izzy has become a bit of a liability in recent months. In the defensive midfield areas, I would keep Brown in but give Scott Allan a chance in favour of Bitton. The Israeli scored a terrific goal against Ajax during the week, but this is another opportunity for us to give other decent squad members some minutes on the pitch.

Rogic gets the nod on the left side as Armstrong is still out with an injury. Commons was another who impressed in Holland, and I would give him another shot to do what he does best against Dundee. Deila has stated that Commons has been unlucky this season due to injuries, but his performance against Ajax showed no signs of pain or fatigue, and as such, I would give him the role in behind the striker due to Johansen’s poor form.

I would also give James Forrest another start on the right wing as he has shown a lot more purpose and drive than Gary Mackay-Steven has throughout the season as a whole. Forrest has been injury-free for a while now, and this could hopefully be his time to shine and kick-on with his development. I have gone for a controversial decision up front, but one I feel is logical.

Leigh Griffiths has played the majority of our games this season, scoring freely and impressing on almost every outing, whereas new signing Nadir Ciftci has failed to win over the support. Griffiths has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone in the Scottish Premiership, and after an energy-sapping 90 minutes up top against Ajax, I think this would be a great opportunity for Ciftci to get his first Celtic goal(s).

I’m pretty confident that whatever striker gets the nod will get good service in this clash, and therefore, should go to Ciftci in a bid to help him kick-start his Celtic career and win over the fans.

Sybaris Ali

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Janko, Boyata, Simunovic, Blackett; Brown, Bitton; Mackay-Steven, Commons, Allan; Ciftci

After Celtic’s display last night, there is reason to be optimistic for the Hoops. My team selection mixes rotation along with enough experience to see off a steady Dundee side.

The back four picks itself. Lustig who came off against Ajax, looked tired and although Efe Ambrose came on to replace the Swedish International, Janko would provide an attacking threat down the right-hand side, which has been more conservative in recent weeks. In the other full-back position, I have gone for Blackett. Izaguirre was rash last night but when Blackett came on, again he showed promise. Blackett needs more game time to gauge a better understanding of the Celtic team.

The duo of Brown and Bitton pick themselves but, it is in the attacking areas where things are interesting. Celtic have a plethora of options in the three positions behind the main striker. Gary Mackay-Steven always seems to cause Dundee trouble. In his days at Dundee United, he would torment the defence and occasionally be the man to unlock Paul Hartley’s side.

Kris Commons who played his part against Ajax gets the nod ahead of Johansen. Stefan’s current form has been poor and as Commons showed last night, he is more than capable of creating that spark in the Celtic side. Finally, Scott Allan is the last man attacking midfielder to be selected. Celtic fans haven’t seen too much of him, but again he brings much-needed creativity which in the last few weeks, Celtic have been lacking.

Finally, Nadir Ciftci gets the nod up front. Again another man who has tormented the Dundee back line. Last season he netted three times against his rivals and will be looking to get his first goal for Celtic on Sunday.