The Celtic XI to continue their unbeaten run vs Hamilton

Make no mistake, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side are rampant right now. The Bhoys scored more goals on Friday night single-handed than the rest of the league did on Saturday.

The win over Partick Thistle was never in doubt despite playing away to Manchester City  in the Champions League just a few days before and naming much of the same XI.

The busy schedule continues on Tuesday night and it’s a return to Celtic Park for Rodgers’ men, having not played there in the league for over a month.

Hamilton won’t make it easy, unbeaten in their last five matches and pushing for a top six position. The Bhoys will be buoyed by recent form against Accies though – the last meeting at Celtic Park ended in an incredible 8-1 scoreline back in January.

Can Celtic make it 20 games unbeaten domestically? This is our XI to get the job done and continue that streak…

GK: Craig Gordon

Gordon continues between the sticks having not put a foot wrong since returning to the first team in place of Dorus de Vries at half-time against this season’s home game vs Kilmarnock.

The Scottish international is probably the best in the league his position and should manage to keep out most things Hamilton throw at him out.

RB: Cristian Gamboa

Having made over 25 starts for Celtic this season, Mikael Lustig deserves a break and with Cristian Gamboa needing game time, it makes sense to do that on Tuesday night.

Gamboa was fairly impressive against Partick Thistle; his urgency and determination to close down the opposition that led to one of Celtic’s goals.

CB: Jozo Simunovic

Jozo Simunovic missed Friday night’s trip to Firhill but deserves a return having fully recovered from the energy-sapping performance against Man City.

The big defender looked pretty assured at the top level last Tuesday and his physical attributes combined with his ability to play football from the back should stand him in good stead to see off what Hamilton have to offer in attack.

CB: Erik Sviatchenko

Erik Sviatchenko has been almost ever-present in the side this season and the Hamilton game represents another opportunity to work on his partnership with Jozo Simunovic.

The Danish international is a leader on the pitch for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers’ side are in good hands at the back whenever he takes to the field.

LB: Emilio Izaguirre

Emilio Izaguirre has looked more and more confident in a Celtic strip since returning to regular action due to the injury of Kieran Tierney.

Despite a poor performance against Motherwell, the Honduran has been a more than capable replacement and should continue his spell in the side on Tuesday night.

The full-back is tireless in his ability to play match after match so there are no fitness issues. He’ll be desperate to push on the Hoops as much as possible in Tierney’s absence.

CM: Scott Brown

Scott Brown is arguably having the best season of his Celtic career. Despite being his thirties and having racked up injuries over the years, he’s never looked fitter, he’s never looked more committed and he’s never looked happier than right now.

There’s an argument that this could be the match to rest the captain but we don’t want to see a game without him right now!

CM: Stuart Armstrong

Stuart Armstrong turned in yet another man of the match performance away to Partick Thistle on Friday. His double had the Hoops 2-0 up before it turned into a rout and his surging runs from midfield are drawing some flattering comparisons to players from Celtic’s past.

The sky seems to be the limit for Armstrong. His natural desire to want to score goals is being enhanced by good coaching and development of his other attributes. He’s undoubtedly Celtic’s in-form player right now.

RW: Gary Mackay-Steven

Gary Mackay-Steven has worked hard to get back to first team football at Celtic and won’t want to give that up now. He’s still getting up to speed and deserves a chance to show what he can do under Brendan Rodgers.

If he plays it would only be his second start of the season. But he undoubtedly has the ability to punish Hamilton and will be eager to impress not just the manager but the home fans too.

AM: Tom Rogic

Tom Rogic played just 60 minutes of Friday night’s game so should have the freshness to start on Tuesday night too.

There’s no better option than him to play behind the striker right now and with Hamilton likely to play a deep, organised defence, his ability to find space and create chances for his teammates will be crucial in Brendan Rodgers’ side getting a result.

LW: Patrick Roberts

Tuesday’s game represents a great chance for Patrick Roberts to shine again. He’s been showing glimpses of the form that thrilled Celtic fans last season – including a fine goal against his parent club in the Champions League.

Nobody at Celtic Park has the ability to entertain as much as the young winger and everyone will want to savour that as much as possible, with just 6 months to go until the winger departs back to Manchester City for good.

ST: Leigh Griffiths

Leigh Griffiths came back into the side on Friday night and gave Brendan Rodgers a selection headache up top.

Our formation could have easily been a 4-4-2 with both Dembele and Griffiths starting such is the quality in the position.

He scored against Thistle and set-up another and looked like he hadn’t skipped a beat since his time on the sidelines.

He just gets the nod over Dembele for us, should Rodgers opt for one striker.