Celtic hero Frank McAvennie has outlined what he feels is Celtic's strongest midfield.

The former Hoops striker reckons that the middle of the park is at its peak for the Parkhead side when Reo Hatate, Tomoki Iwata and Callum McGregor are all fit.

He did not include Matt O'Riley despite the Dane having the most assists for Ange Postecoglou's side this campaign with 12/

And McAvennie hopes that those three players are in midfield for the Scottish champions next season.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "I believe Hatate, [Tomoki] Iwata and [Callum] McGregor are the best midfield, they are the three that I would love to see playing together.

"I think that will happen next year. We always thought that the players at Celtic were like for like, but see when they are off form a little bit, you notice it.“

READ MORE: John Hartson on Celtic v Rangers Hampden showdowns

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou has named his Celtic side to take on Rangers.

The Parkhead boss has made two changes from the 1-1 draw with Motherwell last time out.

It means Reo Hatate and Jota come into the side with Tomoki Iwata and Sead Haksabanovic dropping to the bench.

Joe Hart starts in goal with an unchanged backline of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor.

Callum McGregor is at the base of the midfield three with Matt O'Riley and Hatate just in front.

Jota returns on the wing with Daizen Maeda also in support of Kyogo Furuhashi.

CELTIC XI: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo.

SUBS: Bain, Haksabanovic, Mooy, Turnbull, Kobayashi, Oh, Iwata, Ralston, Vata.

RANGERS XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Cantwell, Lundstram, Raskin, Tillman, Kent, Morelos.

SUBS: McLaughlin, Ridvan, Hagi, Souttar, Matondo, Kamara, Wright, Fashion Jr, Arfield.

Celtic Way:

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