Celtic Blogs

Celtic look to strengthen grip on title race with return to fitness of internationals

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Neil Lennon will be buoyed by the return to fitness of Jozo Simunovic and Mohamed Elyounoussi as he nears being able to select from a fully fit squad.

Despite not firing on all cylinders, Celtic’s shift of formation seems to be getting the goal-scoring best out of both Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths and if the Hoops keep picking up points, the gaffer will see little reason to change a winning formula.

With Griffiths available after it being confirmed that he would face no additional action for his alleged “stamp”, the former Hibernian man will be looking to maintain his good run of form and make the most of the reprieve as the Bhoys’ look to cement their grip on top spot and if possible increase their lead in the Scottish Premiership.

Lennon will also have the option of bringing Ryan Christie back into the fold having had to make do with a place on the bench against Hamilton, the form of Olivier Ntcham playing no small role in the boss’ decision making.

Despite the packed fixture list – as he showed earlier in the season – Lennon is reluctant to make wholesale changes to his side if they are achieving their objectives and even though his 3-5-2 system is still in it’s infancy he appears to have a settled line-up. Christie can find himself unlucky to be out the side given he was, probably, the country’s player of the season up until the winter break.

Motherwell will be no push overs and with the Fir Park side currently sitting in third place – some 23 points behind – they are the current “best of the rest” and will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Livingston at the weekend.

Will Lennon resort back to old formation now Mohamed Elyounoussi is fit?

Yes

No

It will be a physical test for the Hoops but one that should see quality ultimately prevail with the form of Celtic’s attacking triumverate of Ntcham, Edouard and Griffiths too hot for the Steelmen to handle.

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