What is Celtic's strongest XI after arrival of Hatate, Maeda and Ideguchi?

It is something Ange Postecoglou has had to contend with since his arrival at Celtic but now - with the addition of Japanese triumvirate Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda - there is finally a feeling that the manager will possess a squad equipped for the rigours of a lengthy and hectic season.

Injury concerns still abound, not least with David Turnbull and Jota, but what about when everyone is at Postecoglou's disposal? Selection dilemmas arise from having multiple options as much as a scarcity of them after all.

The return of Christopher Jullien is reportedly imminent while the Hoops seem well-stocked in several other positions now too.

So what is Celtic's strongest XI when everyone is fit and available? Our writers take a look...

Tony Haggerty

Ange Postecoglou has brought in three Japanese players in the January transfer window and he fully intends to utilise them.

All things being equal and with a level playing field and free of injuries then I can see the manager shoehorning all three of his new signings into his starting line-up.

That's why I can see Reo Hatate occupying the left-back role with Josip Juranovic being deployed on his right-hand side. The Aussie might also be keen on pairing Cameron Carter-Vickers with Christopher Jullien in central defence.

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In midfield, David Turnbull could be the one to lose out at the expense of Yosuke Ideguchi. Despite not having the best of campaigns in the J1 League, Postecoglou clearly sees something in the former Leeds United man and has handed him the chance to resurrect his career in Glasgow's east end. 

The manager has already worked wonders with Jota and maybe feels that his style could best suit Ideguchi. Alongside Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic, he could be the man to help revitalise the Celtic engine room. 

In attack, Jota is an automatic starter on the left with Daizen Maeda on the right and Kyogo Furuhashi through the middle. That could be the potent triumvirate that fires Celtic to Scottish Premiership title glory come May.

Tony's strongest XI (4-3-3): Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jullien, Hatate; McGregor, Ideguchi, Rogic; Maeda, Kyogo, Jota.

Sean Martin

There were seven certainties for me: Joe Hart, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota.

The other four positions were more difficult to nail down. At right-back Josip Juranovic has been signed to be a first-team regular - and will probably be one when the dust settles - but right now Anthony Ralston is offering more in virtually every measurable category.

As a fan of Stephen Welsh, a case could certainly be made for his inclusion at centre-back while Carl Starfelt currently has the jersey - but with everyone at full strength? Christopher Jullien takes the spot, playing left of centre as he did for years at Toulouse.

One criticism of Celtic's midfield is that it doesn't have enough bite in it. Nir Bitton has been impressive since his return to the anchorman role but Callum McGregor facilitates the Postecoglou method better from there.

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I put forward Reo Hatate as a solution to the type of attributes the Hoops lost when Ryan Christie departed and hope, albeit after a period of assimilation, that he proves me right on that front.

By selecting Hatate it then became a straight choice between David Turnbull and Tom Rogic for the last spot. It's harsh on David Turnbull - and throws up the question 'who takes the set-pieces?' - but the irrepressible Rogic gets the nod for me.

Kyogo and Jota have occupied the top two slots in our power rankings so far this season so they will not be moved. New signing Daizen Maeda can operate across the frontline but primarily - at least at first - I see him as a rotation piece for Kyogo and Jota, who can also switch flanks when required. Out right, a fit and firing James Forrest is still a formidable threat - though Liel Abada's statistically-superb start to life at Parkhead has not gone unnoticed either.

The added benefit of all this? Having genuine game-changing options on the bench at any given time. Juranovic, Turnbull, Abada, Maeda... even Mikey Johnston and Giorgos Giakoumakis. It's not half bad.

Sean's strongest XI (4-3-3): Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Jullien, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, Rogic; Forrest, Kyogo, Jota.