Celtic travel up north on Wednesday, as they take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership.

It is first versus second in the league, as Brendan Rodgers’ side takes on Jimmy Thelin and his impressive Dons team in the Granite City. Both sides are in different places, as Celtic have been in imperious form following last month’s 2-2 draw with Wednesday’s opponents. Indeed, they find themselves four points ahead of the home side with a game in hand, thanks to their 5-0 defeat of Ross County, followed by Aberdeen’s draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.

With the chance to put themselves seven points clear of their closest rivals at the close of play on Wednesday night, who will Rodgers choose to start at Pittodrie? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay and John McGinley each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

It may be bullish, but I believe this game could be a potential title decider already for Celtic.

While there is still a lot of football to be played between now and May, a potential seven-point gap (with a game in hand) seems unassailable at this point, given the way Celtic are playing. The only way this can transpire, however, is if Rodgers’ side do the business away from home at Aberdeen.

With that in mind, some of the big hitters will return to the side, though there will be some big calls made after Saturday’s events. In goals, Kasper Schmeichel will remain in place – you would expect him to have a busier night than he did just four days prior versus Ross County. In the centre of defence, Auston Trusty will return to the side alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, though Liam Scales can feel incredibly hard done by that he will not retain his spot after a sublime showing last time out. Alex Valle will keep his spot at left-back, while Alistair Johnston will occupy the right side of defence.

In midfield, captain Callum McGregor will be joined by Paulo Bernardo, who will stay in the side ahead of Arne Engels, as well as Reo Hatate. Like with Scales, Luke McCowan can feel aggrieved that he doesn’t start, though he and Engels will have important jobs to do coming off of the bench for Celtic. Hatate has always enjoyed playing against Celtic, therefore he gets the nod ahead of his peers.

In the forward areas, I predict that Adam Idah will lead the line up front, thanks to his last two performances at Tynecastle and at Celtic Park respectively. The embarrassment of riches that Celtic possess in this area are quite something. Idah will be supported by Daizen Maeda – who was awesome versus Aberdeen last time out at Hampden – and Nicolas Kuhn on the left and right wing respectively. If these three click, then it could be a long night for Aberdeen, given their faulty run of form as of late.

Celtic to win by at least two clear goals and cement themselves as essentially champions-elect at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.

Ryan’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda

 

John McGinley

Given that those who came into Brendan Rodgers' selection on Saturday against Ross County performed so well, it's easy to conclude that many of them will retain their spot in the starting eleven at Pittodrie.

However, Rodgers himself has stated that he already had a preferred team to play against Aberdeen in mind, irrespective of the 5-0 weekend win. There's a reason he was looking to keep his most trusted players fresh for what is a stiffer test.

While fans are rightly purring over Luke McCowan's creativity and Adam Idah's lightning finish, for me the likely scenario is that the manager reverts to Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi for this one.

However, Paulo Bernardo's industrious, combative and classy midfield play could see him get the nod in a central trio that I see also including captain Callum McGregor.

It would appear harsh to again bench the impressive Alex Valle but I also see a return for Greg Taylor on the cards in the manager's preferred back four which is completed by Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty.

With Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda - who have a combined 21 goals this season - ready to cause problems on the flanks, Celtic will pose a significant danger to the Dons regardless of Rodgers' selection.

A strong bench to effect change is a guarantee, too, if the travelling Bhoys need added inspiration in the second half. Rodgers' hefty squad of viable starters is ready to take on a busy December.

John’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.