Predicted XI: Celtic vs. Hearts (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 next game and you might be picked to have your say on Read Celtic.

Ruairi Daly

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic (Blackett), Izaguirre; Bitton, Brown; Rogic, Commons, Forrest; Griffiths

The team is likely to revert back to the strongest line-up available on Saturday as Celtic entertain Hearts at Paradise. Gordon is set to start against his old club, where he spent seven years of his career.

In defence, there should be several changes from Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Raith Rovers. Lustig should come back into the squad and will need some game time before Thursday night’s crucial Europa League game at home. If he can get 60-65 minutes he can be replaced by Janko who has won back-to-back man of the match awards from right-back.

At left-back, I would start Izaguirre as he will be suspended for Thursday night so there is no need to rest him. Coming off the back of a two-goal performance against Dundee, the Honduran will be looking to keep his place in the team by putting in another strong performance.

There’s a question mark over the second centre-back, as Simunovic will be a late call. I’ve gone with the obvious choice of Boyata and Simunovic who need more playing time together to build a partnership. The new Bhoy will be assessed tomorrow morning so it could be a better idea to save him for Thursday. In that scenario, I would start Blackett, who looked solid alongside Ambrose on Wednesday night.

Bitton and Brown would be my selection in defensive midfield, as we can’t take any chances against the newly promoted Jambos. Both will need to put in a good performance if Celtic are to get all three points on Saturday.

In the three advanced positions, injuries to Allan and Armstrong mean it largely picks itself in my opinion. Rogic and Forrest will occupy the two wide positions with Commons in his preferred ten role to support Griffiths up front.

Johansen should be on the bench to maybe give him the push in the right direction to find his form again and come back firing on all cylinders for Celtic on Thursday night.

Sybaris Ali

(4-2-3-1) Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic (Ambrose), Blackett; Bitton, Johansen; Commons, Rogic, Forrest; Griffiths

The Bhoys will be looking to maintain their recent form when an old rivalry is renewed. Hearts who have started the season well will provide a stern test for Ronny Deila’s side.

Gordon who was a surprise inclusion on Wednesday is in goals. Then the big issue, the back four. A few weeks ago, like most Celtic fans out there, I was very worried about our defence frailties. However, in the last three games we have shown resolve and now look like a team who are willing to defend. Yes, there are still some issues but not as severe as it was a few weeks ago.

Mikael Lustig for me should start ahead of Saidy Janko, who has played well in the previous two games and earned the last two man of the match awards. I presume that Lustig will start against Fenerbahce and will need a good 60 minutes in order to get himself match fit for the Europa League tie on Thursday.

The two centre backs pick themselves, although, if Simunovic does not make it, Efe Ambrose is more than a capable replacement. Efe was an efficient player in the last two matches, but in the past against the most testing opposition he hasn’t performed. Still, the Nigerian deserves credit for his recent performances.

Finally, Tyler Blackett completes the Celtic back line. With Emilio Izaguirre suspended on Thursday, it would make sense of Deila to start Blackett at left back, to give him so much needed game time in that position.

The midfield two of Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen should add a killer threat in terms of carving open the Hearts defence. Scott Brown, who has been a shadow of himself recently hasn’t been playing to the standards we all know he can. Yes some may argue that Johansen’s season may be the same but in terms of a game like this, you would ideally want someone like Johansen, who is can play that instinctive pass, whereas Brown will usually sit back and dictate play with Bitton.

Kris Commons, who provided the opening goal on Wednesday has to play. He once again proved his creativity and decisive finishing against Raith. He also has the habit of scoring against the Jambos, including a hat trick against them in Celtic’s 7-0 thrashing a few years ago at Tynecastle.

Tom Rogic, who has played very well this season, plays in the 10 role. The Aussie has shown real skill in the past few weeks and has started to pop up with the odd goal here and there. A real prospect for the future but right now, his style seems to be more than suited to Deila’s system. James Forrest is the last man in the three. He will provide the pace and direct attack coming in from the wing.

Leigh Griffiths is the man up top and has stood out this season as one of Celtic’s best players. He will be aiming score against Hearts again and wind-up his old rivals from his Hibernian days.