First takes on fifth at Celtic Park, as the champions welcome Hibernian this evening in the Scottish Premiership.

Fresh off the back of a 3-1 win away from home against St Johnstone in Perth, Brendan Rodgers’ team will be hoping to make it two league wins on the bounce when they welcome Nick Montgomery’s in-form side to Glasgow tonight.

Indeed, the Edinburgh club are unbeaten in their last six league matches, the only defeat coming in the League Cup against Aberdeen at Hampden Park. They defeated the same team at home 2-0 in the league three days ago, in what has been a very impressive start to life in charge of Hibs for Montgomery.

READ MORE: The Celtic Numbers: How Matt O'Riley sank St Johnstone

Rodgers in his press conference on Monday hinted that ‘opportunities’ may be in order for certain players, with other individuals potentially falling by the wayside due to their lacklustre performance against St Johnstone.

With that in mind, who will start for Celtic tonight against Hibs in Glasgow? Our writers each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

No two ways about it, this is going to be a tough game for Celtic tonight. Hibs look revitalised under the management of Montgomery and have several dangerous attacking options that can cause the home side problems, even at home.

Despite this, I reckon that there will be a couple of changes from the side that started Sunday’s game in Perth.

Joe Hart will remain in goals for this one, having atoned for his early error at the weekend with a brilliant save in the closing stages. We all know that this is an area that needs to be strengthened either next month or the summer, though the former England international is a satisfactory option for now.

The good thing about Rodgers’ press conference is that we got an answer regarding the current status of Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke, with the manager essentially saying that they need to do more in training to break back into the team. With that in mind, it will continue to be Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back for tonight’s game, as any change to the back-line could present Hibs with an opportunity to capitalise on a potential defensive mix-up at the back. Because of this, Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will both assume their normal positions at left and right-back respectively

The midfield is where things could potentially get interesting regarding team selection. I think the manager will switch it up, which is why Tomoki Iwata will get his first start of the season in his favoured defensive midfield position, which will move captain Callum McGregor up in the process. This small switch in both personnel and position could free up the captain to play a more attacking style, which was shown to still exist against St Johnstone on Sunday. Iwata deserves his chance in the team, with Celtic Park the perfect place to truly stake his claim as a main player in Rodgers’ side. No surprises about who will be the third midfielder, as this season’s star man Matt O’Riley will play in the attacking midfield role. His second-half performance just three days ago was a perfect example of how he can almost single-handedly turn a game on its head with his quality and class. Expect fireworks from the Dane once again tonight.

READ MORE: Celtic's Rodgers hints that Iwata and Johnston may start

Onto the attacking players, of which I think there will be another big change. We all know that Yang Hyun-jun had a bit of a nightmare last time out, so his place in the starting line-up will likely be removed for the time being. Step forward Mikey Johnston, who lit up McDiarmid Park with a sparkling second-half display coming off of the bench. Johnston simply has to take this big chance that looks to be coming his way, as both Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada are getting closer to returning from their respective injuries. He has to start this match, as does Luis Palma, who contributed the most key passes for either side at the weekend. Both players love taking their man on, and it could be a long night if they are in the mood to cause havoc down the flanks.

It was a toss-up concerning who I chose to lead the line, but I believe that Kyogo will continue to do so, despite his latest barren run in front of the goal. Rodgers may throw a curveball and elect to go for Oh Hyeon-gyu, but Celtic Park under the lights feels like a pretty good place for the striker to get back in amongst the goals.

I’m looking forward to this one, and I anticipate both sides to get on the scoresheet, though I believe the home side will have too much for their visitors to handle on the night. Celtic to win by a couple.

Ryan’s team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Iwata, McGregor; Palma, O’Riley, Johnston; Kyogo

Tony Haggerty

Celtic will be looking to remain at least eight points clear by the close of play tonight.
Rodgers certainly won’t want to be reading the riot act at his players for a second game in succession.
The frank admission by the manager will ring in the players' ears for a while yet. With that in mind, the Northern Irishman will ring the changes for the visit of Montogomery’s men who are still one of only three teams to take points off Celtic this season.

Hart will be the custodian between the sticks. It will be the same back four that took to the field in Perth so it will be as you were with Johnston and Taylor at right and left back respectively and Carter-Vickers and Scales at centre back. The likes of Lagerbielke and Nawrocki ain’t going to trouble Carter-Vickers anytime soon judging by Rodgers' pre-match comments.

READ MORE: Celtic's O'Riley talks 'small percentage' training boosts

In the midfield, Iwata will finally get the chance to start a match after his powerful and impactful performance on Sunday. The Japanese star will be deployed alongside McGregor and O’Riley.

Up front, Yang will make way for Johnston who has forced his way back into Rodgers' plans.
The Irish international will line up on the right wing with Luis Palma on the left and Kyogo Furuhashi in the main striker role. The temptation may well have been to replace Kyogo with Oh Hyeon-gyu but the talisman will be charged with the task of getting back in the saddle and among the goals.

Tony’s team: Hart; A. Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Iwata, McGregor, O’Riley; M. Johnston, Kyogo, Palma.