Opinion: Expect 38-goal trio to return for Celtic title party

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team selection for the 1-1 draw with Dundee United was a bit of a surprise to an extent, as James Forrest came in for a rare start, replacing Jota.

Kyogo was also on the bench, as was Daizen Maeda, although all three players did eventually get some playing time as the Hoops got the point which sparked scenes of wild celebrations in both Dundee and at Celtic Park when the team returned to Glasgow.

The Hoops didn’t play all that well at Tannadice, but the most important thing was securing the point that clinched the title, and that is exactly what Celtic achieved.

Now Celtic are set to have another party on Saturday, as the Hoops take on Motherwell at Celtic Park, as the team and fans will celebrate by lifting the Premiership trophy after the game.

The outcome of the game doesn’t really matter as the title is won, but it would be fitting if the Hoops ended the league season by putting on a performance worthy of champions, and winning the game by a few goals.

With that in mind, expect the trio of Kyogo, Jota and Maeda, who have scored 38 goals between them, to return to the Hoops starting line-up.

Those three players are probably Celtic’s best attackers at the moment, although Giorgos Giakoumakis has been excellent in 2022, weighing in with a host of important goals.

Still, as Giakoumakis started in Dundee, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him back on the bench against Motherwell, as Ange Postecoglou likes to rotate his squad when the Hoops play more than one game in a week.

That is why we are likely to see Kyogo, Jota and Maeda back in the Celtic line-up, to freshen up the side one last time. It will be interesting to see how Celtic approach the game, the team won’t change now even though the league has been won. The Hoops will be looking to play entertaining attacking football which will provide goals for the fans before the team has a well-earned break.

As has already been stated, any win will do for the Hoops to end the season in style. But a big win would be the perfect end to the season. Celtic have scored a lot of goals on the last day of the season before, back in 2016 the Hoops scored seven against – ironically enough – Motherwell.

The Hoops might not score that many goals tomorrow, but the chances of finding the back of the next will be enhanced if Jota, Maeda and Kyogo all return to the Celtic line-up.