Celtic are in a really good place. League Cup winners for the second season in a row, nine points clear at the top of the table and in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup is no mean feat.

Simply put, Ange Postecoglou's men are poised for a really exciting end to the season. However, there are still quite a few challenges for the Hoops to overcome before the campaign climaxes.

One of those is a trip to Paisley to take on the only team to defeat the Parkhead side domestically this season: Stephen Robinson's St Mirren. 

The Buddies ran out 2-0 winners against the Scottish champions back in September in what was a rare off day for Celtic under Postecoglou. Since then the Hoops have been near flawless in the league, dropping points only once in a 2-2 derby draw in January.

Last season's double winners have also beaten Robinson's side twice during that time, winning 4-0 and 5-1 respectively.

With the Parkhead side looking to make amends on their return to Paisley, who will Postecoglou pick to start?

Our writers have their say...

Sean Martin

With three games in a week, there will be rotation. But with seven days since the cup final, will it be for this game?

I'm going with yes - but not too much. In the end, although I really want to see what Anthony Ralston brings now that he's fit again with a new right-back competitor in Alistair Johnston, I've gone with the same back four that started at Hampden.

In midfield I've opted for one change - Matt O'Riley for Aaron Mooy - but without any real confidence. It's still a toss-up between the two at any given game.

Up front is where my second alteration arrives and, as a Daizen Maeda die-hard, it was a difficult one to write down.

St Mirren have the joint-lowest average possession in the league. Ally that with the third-stingiest defence, the fact they don't press particularly high and they have the worst challenge intensity in the league (i.e. they're not that active in trying to win it back) then even by Celtic's lofty standards it could be a real ball dominant day.

For that reason, I've gone with the guile of Sead Haksabanovic over Maeda's raw zeal. Following the Montenegrin's positive cameo in the cup, it's not unearned.

Kyogo Furuhashi is undroppable through the middle (although Oh Hyeon-gyu's presumed substitute's impact will be intriguing) and while Liel Abada has a claim for only a second start in six, Jota will keep his place on the other flank.

Sean's team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Haksabanovic

Celtic Way:

Tony Haggerty

There is no revenge mission. Postecoglou does not entertain such words in his football vocabulary. Secretly, however, the Australian will be delighted that his team are heading to Paisley to take on St Mirren immediately after the League Cup final.

There will be an edge to this contest that will suit the visitors as sometimes the game after a final win can be a huge comedown. Celtic drew 0-0 with the Saints after defeating Hibs in the League Cup final showpiece last season, for instance.

Postecoglou and his men will be determined to end their two-game scoring drought in Paisley since he became boss of the Hoops. That being said there will be tinkering but not widespread rotation as Celtic count down to what will hopefully be their second successive championship with 12 games to go.

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Joe Hart remains in between the sticks and it will be as you were with the same back four that performed so well at Hampden against Rangers also in situ - Johnston (right), Greg Taylor (left) and a central defensive pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt.

In midfield, there will be one change with O'Riley coming in for Mooy. Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate will be the other two deployed in the engine room.

Kyogo will lead the line as he sets his eyes on hitting number 25 for the season. He will be ably assisted by Jota on the right and Haksabanovic on the left. The Montenegrin will come in for Maeda, who will get a well-earned rest.

Haksabanovic's impressive appearance against Rangers last weekend as he showed he is fit and raring to go - and that is a prospect that excites the Celtic faithful no end.

Tony's team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Haksabanovic

Aidan Macdonald

Given the success of the team that Postecoglou selected last weekend, there is no reason to make any changes for the trip to Paisley.

Hart will once again start between the sticks as he remains the number-one goalkeeper at the club. The back four in front of him will stay the same as it was at Hampden as well with Johnston starting his 11th game for the club and Carter-Vickers and Starfelt continuing their unbeaten league central-defensive partnership. Taylor will stay at left-back.

McGregor will anchor the midfield from the number six position while two of last weekend’s standouts, Hatate and Mooy, will remain in the eight roles in the centre of the park.

In terms of the front three, Jota will start on the right wing and will be vital in providing a creative spark. Kyogo will once again lead the line through the middle after his heroics at Hampden while Maeda will play off the left-hand side.

Aidan's team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, Mooy; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Remember to check The Celtic Way on matchdays for detailed player ratings & post-match analysis