Celtic will probably be seeking to get again to successful methods within the Scottish Premiership after they tackle Dundee away from Parkhead this night.
The Hoops entered the ultimate worldwide break of the 2025/26 season following a disastrous 2-0 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice Park, however now they must face their rivals within the Tangerines.
Martin O’Neill’s aspect are third within the Premiership title race with seven video games remaining and might want to rack up wins if they’re to exit with a roar of successful the division.
The Northern Eire head coach should be robust on his staff choice after the Hoops misplaced too simply to Dundee United of their final sport earlier than the break.
One participant who ought to be faraway from the beginning lineup after his efficiency towards the Tangerines is centre-forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
Why Celtic ought to drop Kelechi Iheanacho
Celtic’s Nigerian No.9 suffered within the defeat to Tannadice Park and was unable to pose a menace in entrance of purpose and will probably be on the bench towards Dundee.
Iheanacho missed one “large likelihood” and was unable to create any probabilities for his team-mates throughout his 57 minutes on the pitch, earlier than being despatched off and being changed by Sebastian Tunekuti.
The previous Manchester Metropolis star has made six Premiership appearances for the Scottish giants this season, scoring two targets from 3.62xG, together with one from the penalty spot.
Celtic could have been anticipating higher outcomes from the skilled marksman after they acquired him on a free switch from Sevilla in September 2025, however his keep at Parkhead was interrupted by a number of hamstring accidents.
With the Premiership title on the road, O’Neill must take away the left-footed striker from the beginning lineup following his disappointing efficiency towards Dundee United and provides one other attacker an opportunity to impress.
Celtic must unleash new Oliver Burke
The Northern Eire supervisor might drop Iheanacho from his eleven by unleashing his personal model of Oliver Burke, who scored simply 4 targets in 19 video games on mortgage from RB Leipzig within the second half of the 2018/19 season.
Within the January switch window, Celtic rapidly determined to signal versatile attacker Junior Adam on mortgage from Freiburg. The deal was just like the one which introduced Burke to Parkhead from the Bundesliga seven years in the past.
Simply as Burke’s mortgage spell ended his time on the Hoops, the Austrian worldwide – who has failed to attain or help in his earlier 4 league video games – will return to Germany in the summertime after failing at Celtic.
Nonetheless, the 24-year-old attacker hasn’t had many alternatives to showcase his high quality within the remaining third, having solely performed 134 minutes in 4 league video games for the Hoops.
However Adam confirmed glimpses of his expertise throughout his time with the Scottish giants, scoring an injury-time equalizer towards at the moment’s opponents within the SFA Cup in February.
The Austrian ahead has struggled in latest seasons, scoring simply eight targets for the reason that begin of the 2023-24 season, however he has proven indicators of being a constant scorer lately.
Junior Adam’s purpose report | ||
|---|---|---|
season | sport | the purpose |
25/26 | twenty 4 | 3 |
24/25 | 27 | 4 |
23/24 | twenty 4 | 1 |
22/23 | 36 | 11 |
21/22 | 39 | 8 |
20/21 | 27 | 13 |
If O’Neill can get Adam again to the extent he confirmed between 2020/21 and 2022/23, the Freiburg loanee might emerge as a key participant within the remaining seven video games and keep away from being labeled Parkhead’s subsequent Burke.
Nonetheless, it’s as much as the participant to take the chance when it comes and after Iheanacho’s disappointing efficiency within the final sport, O’Neill wants to present him an opportunity to shine on this sport towards Dundee.
No Celtic attacker has scored greater than seven league targets this season, with central midfielder Benjamin Nygren (15) main the cost, which means there’s nonetheless time earlier than the supervisor has a dependable participant up entrance.
Celtic star appeared his finest since Lubo however now he is accomplished at Parkhead
Not even Celtic’s key gamers got here to the social gathering at Parkhead this season.
