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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Celtic team news as Ange Postecoglou names side for Hibs clash

Ange Postecoglou has named a changed Celtic side for the clash against Hibernian at Easter Road.

The Australian has handed Scott Bain his first start for over 18 months in goal.

Yuki Kobayashi has also returned to the back four at centre-back, along with Alexandro Bernabei at left-back.

In the midfield, Matt O'Riley has dropped out and been replaced by Tomoki Iwata.

And the top end of the pitch, Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda have made way for Liel Abada, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Sead Haksabanovic, respectively.

CELTIC XI: Bain; Ralston, Starfelt, Kobayashi, Bernabei; Iwata, McGregor, Hatate; Abada, Oh, Haksabanovic

SUBS: Hart, Taylor, Kyogo, Turnbull, Jota, O'Riley, Maeda, Forrest, Welsh

HIBS XI: Marshall, Miller, Fish, Egan-Riley, Hanlon, Stevenson, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Jeggo, Youan, Nisbet

SUBS: Subs: Johnson, Cabraja, Cadden, Hoppe, Devlin, Henderson, McKirdy, Rocky, Campbell

Meanwhile, ahead of the match, Postecoglou provided an update on the injury status of Alistair Johnston.

He said: "He trained today and that was his first session. He won't play tomorrow, but all things being equal, if he gets through sort of the rest of the week's training then he should be available for the weekend's game.

"We'll just see hopefully getting him some game time in the weekend and then assess it from there.

"He's worked really hard, obviously with the cup final in mind to try and get back and he's got back really well and he's worked hard with the medical team and he looked after himself really well.

"It was good to see him training today and just good to have him part of it because he's obviously been a big part of it in the second-half of the year."

He also detailed the type of test of he was expecting from Hibernian.

"Well, like I said, I think all the games probably apart from ourselves and Rangers, everyone else has got something to play for," he continued.

"Like I said, with Hibs having Europe in mind it should be a good game for us. It is always a difficult game at Easter Road and it's always a good atmosphere and because they got something to play for, I think it'll be a good challenge for our guys.

"I think they've they've sort of been the most consistent they have been probably all year in terms of the way they're playing.

"It'll be a good challenge for us, it will be a good atmosphere and we are looking forward to the game."

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