Balikwisha To Play? | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers | OneFootball

A shocking defeat against Kairat exposed Celtic in the Champions League playoffs. The board reacted swiftly by snapping up Michel-Ange Balikwisha; however, Brendan Rodgers must regroup his men before travelling across the town and clashing heads with Rangers for the season’s first Old Firm clash on Sunday lunchtime.

However, the Gers are in complete catastrophe under Russell Martin, who was supposed to change their fortune by bringing his brand of football into practice. The owners have backed the boss with ten signings so far, but they have hardly made a difference in the new system due to their lack of quality and composure. The Light Blues have yet to win a league game, and also suffered a dreadful 6-0 defeat against Club Brugge in the return leg of the Champions League playoff. A derby defeat before the international break could jeopardise Martin’s Ibrox future.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers

Defence

Surprisingly, Kasper Schmeichel has kept clean sheets in all his appearances across competitions. Although he failed to stop any of the spot-kicks against the Kazakh side, Rangers might find it hard to beat the veteran Dane, given their wastefulness up top.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 16: Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Injuries to Alistair Johnston and Auston Trusty decimate the Celts in the defensive third. But they have ample depth and quality across the backline. Anthony Ralston should keep his place on the right, and the gaffer would rely on left fullback Kieran Tierney, regardless of Marcelo Saracchi’s arrival from Boca Juniors. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales must slot in as the central defensive pairing ahead of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Dane Murray.

Midfield

Despite being well-equipped in the middle of the park, Celtic are highly reliant on skipper Callum McGregor, who drives their game from the base as a deep-lying playmaker. Benjamin Nygren has replaced Arne Engels in the middle of the park, and the summer signing from Nordsjælland should partner with Reo Hatate as box-to-box options. Besides Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo could also be introduced from the bench as second-half substitutes.

Attack

The Bhoys have a serious crisis high up the pitch, with Adam Idah failing to make a difference as an outright ‘number 9’. Johnny Kenny, Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada are not ready for big occasions, and the manager must bank on Daizen Maeda, allowing James Forrest and Hyun-Jun Yang to occupy the wide attacking roles. Balikwisha is expected to make his debut as a ‘super sub’, and his pace and flair could make a difference in the Celtic attack.