Ross County v Celtic: Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

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The Celtic Star

·11 January 2025

Ross County v Celtic: Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

Celtic face Ross County this afternoon in the SPFL Premiership. The Scottish Champions travel up to the Highlands in sub-zero conditions as they target to extend their lead at the top of the table to 18 points.

Ross County v Celtic, 12.30pm kick-off, Saturday 11th January. Image Celtic FC

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Brendan Rodgers’ side were 2-0 winners on Wednesday night after goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate put Dundee United to the sword. Twenty four hours later, Rangers drew at Dens Park to open a 15 point gap.

Celtic Team News

Celtic are struggling in the wide areas with Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn having picked up knocks in the win over Dundee United. Kühn was replaced by Yang before kickoff while Maeda completed 90 minutes after scoring the opening goal of the game. Luis Palma, who came on in the second half against Jim Goodwin’s side, sadly suffered a bereavement and will be unavailable. James Forrest remains out with an injury.

This could provide an opportunity for Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings who have both been training with the first team squad this week and both likely to be involved in the squad up at Dingwall.

Kasper Schmeichel acknowledges the fans following the Scottishl Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kasper Schmeichel will start in goals. The Dane conceded his first Premiership goal in the meeting between the sides earlier this season in Dingwall with Ronan Hale scoring from the spot.

Brendan appears to have returned to the preferred back four with Auston Trusty partnering Cameron Carter-Vickers in the central pairing with Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor at fullback. Given the changes that are likely to come in attack, you would expect the manager to limit the amount of changes he makes.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring the second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In midfield, expect Callum McGregor to start at the base of the trio with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate.

In attack, the manager is limited in terms of wide options. Yang will likely start out wide. Luke McCowan could start out wide too; however, the manager could go with Kyogo and Adam Idah with the Japanese striker starting on the left.

Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Taylor, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Kyogo, Idah, Yang.

Greg Taylor at the final whistle with Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Walton after the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park, on 8th January 2025. (Photo Mark Runnacles)

Celtic Manager’s View

“I love the journey up, the journey is a fantastic drive up, and they are always tough games. If you look at Don and his team, they’ve produced some fantastic results of late. They are only a few points off the top six, so they’ve gone on a nice little consistent run. They will be hard to beat, and the pitch won’t be perfect,” Brendan Rodgers said at yesterday’s media conference at Lennoxtown ahead of the Parks of Hamilton coach leaving for the Highlands.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arrives prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Johnstone at Celtic Park on December 29, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“They defend very well, they play a five-diamond-one, so lots of bodies behind the ball and they will make it difficult, so we have to use the speed in our game as a quality to hopefully break through that.

“In these games at this time of the year, there are no points for style. We always want to go and play, and win in the best way we possibly can, that’s always the nature of our game. But, ultimately, this will be about resilience, mentality and getting through the tough moments in the game, and looking to be as attack-minded as we can possibly be.”

Match Officials

Hearts v Tottenham – Pre Season Friendly ,Tynecastle, Referee Matthew MacDermid, Wednesday July 17, 2024. Andrew Milligan

Matthew MacDermid has been confirmed as the referee for the clash. The 31-year-old will be assisted by David McGeachie and David Dunne. Meanwhile at Clydesdale House, Greg Aitken is on VAR with Graeme Leslie assisting.

Kick Off Time

The game kicks off at 12:30pm (Celtic Park Time) and will be played at Ross County’s Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall.

Where to Watch

The game is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football will both show live coverage of events in the Highlands. Build-up begins from midday. There’s no PPV service today but as usual subscribers to Celtic TV living outside Britain and Ireland can watch the game live via the Celtic TV service. There’s also a full play-back at 10pm this evening.

🟩 Overseas subscribers can watch the Bhoys on the road LIVE on @CelticTV tomorrow!Full info & how to subscribe below ⤵#ROSCEL | #CelticFC🍀— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 10, 2025

Predicted Score

Everything – the weather, the injuries, the fixture schedule – points to this being a tough one for Celtic. Hopefully we have enough in the tank to get the three points, Ross County 1 Celtic 2…by any means possible Celtic, it’s just about the three points today.Enjoy the game folks and of course…COYBIG!

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