Van den Berg and Lotomba: Celtic New Boys Could Make Debuts Tonight Against St Mirren
Martin O’Neill could hand Joel van den Berg and Jordan Lotomba their first Celtic appearances as the champions face St Mirren tonight.
Phillip Cooney 
Van den Berg and Lotomba could make their Celtic debuts tonight as Martin O’Neill takes his side to Paisley for a fascinating top-of-the-table clash with St Mirren.
The game kicks off at 8pm at the SMiSA Stadium, with live coverage on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm.
However, beyond the importance of maintaining Celtic’s perfect league start, supporters could get their first look at two of the club’s newest arrivals.
Van den Berg and Lotomba could make Celtic debuts
Dutch midfielder Joel van den Berg arrived from PSV Eindhoven, while Swiss international Jordan Lotomba joined from Feyenoord just before the UEFA registration deadline.
BBC team news ahead of tonight’s match states that both players could be included in O’Neill’s squad.
It would certainly add another layer of interest to an already intriguing game.
Lotomba could offer Celtic a fresh option at right-back with Alistair Johnston still unavailable.
Van den Berg’s situation is particularly interesting. The 19-year-old was left out of Celtic’s Europa League squad because of restrictions on available places.
That means domestic matches could provide an important opportunity for him to make an immediate impression.
Celtic injuries leave O’Neill with decisions
Kieran Tierney and Kasper Høgh remain unavailable with thigh problems. O’Neill described both as very unlikely to make tonight’s game.
Jota remains sidelined as he works back from his long-term knee injury, while Callum Osmand is out with an ankle problem.
New signing Landon Emenalo is also not ready to feature.
That could mean Liam Scales continues on the left side of defence, while Camilo Durán should remain the main attacking threat following his excellent start to the campaign.
Celtic beat Aberdeen 3-0 on Wednesday, but O’Neill now has far more options following the late transfer-window activity.
The big question tonight could be whether Van den Berg or Lotomba — or perhaps both — finally get their first taste of competitive action in green and white.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• St Mirren v Celtic kicks off at 8pm
• Live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm
• Van den Berg and Lotomba could make their debuts
• Tierney and Høgh remain out
• Jota, Osmand and Emenalo are also unavailable
• Celtic are looking to maintain their perfect Premiership start
