Celtic's final pre-season clash before the big kickoff against Ross County sees them take on Athletic Club at Parkhead.

The La Liga side, who finished eighth in Spain last season, will provide stern competition ahead of the Scottish Premiership getting underway. The fixture also has special significance, given it is James Forrest's testimonial. The Hoops veteran is celebrating 13 years in the first team after the match was previously delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Forrest has won 26 trophies during his time at the Scottish champions and it is somewhat fitting that his testimonial takes place under the guise of Brendan Rodgers, the manager who got the best out of him during his first spell in charge.

While it will undoubtedly be a special evening for Forrest and his family, fans will also be given the opportunity to see how the team sets up under Rodgers for the first time since his return. That will prove intriguing for many just days before the competitive actions begins against the Staggies.

Who will the manager pick? Our writers have their say...

Ryan McGinlay

In what will be a memorable night for one of Celtic’s most decorated players in Forrest, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for another step-up in performance against strong opposition in the shape of Athletic Club. As the league season gets underway this weekend, the manager has said that he will use two 45-minute line-ups for this match. In light of this, it will be interesting to see what team does start for this clash.

READ MORE: Three potential Celtic Jota replacements that would improve the squad

Joe Hart will again take his place as Celtic’s starting goalkeeper in goals. With Rodgers’ comments regarding a further desire for new players to come in during this window, it will be interesting to see if Hart will continue as the first choice going forward if the club are in the market for a new stopper.

In defence, Tomoki Iwata will continue in his new role as a makeshift right-back, where he has excelled in pre-season thus far. On the other side, Greg Taylor will continue his familiar role as left-back, who will be hoping for an improved performance after having a bit of a nightmare against Wolves last weekend. In the centre of defence, Maik Nawrocki will make his Celtic debut alongside Carl Starfelt. It is important that these two get game time and form a defensive partnership together, as both will be expected to start come the weekend against Ross County.

The midfield will remain as-is for this one, as captain Callum McGregor will operate in a double pivot alongside Reo Hatate, with Matt O’Riley situated in the central attacking midfielder position directly in front of the pair. There will be time to give new players such as Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Odin Thiago Holm valuable minutes in the second half, but the strongest XI should start this game, to begin with.

Despite it being his testimonial, Forrest will play the second 45 minutes to both take the captain’s armband and soak up the crowd's adulation at the final whistle. With that in mind, it will be Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada on each wing, respectively. Both players will be keen to get this campaign started, as their pre-season form has been a real highlight of this summer’s developments under Rodgers.

No prizes for guessing who will be leading the line, as it will undoubtedly be Kyogo Furuhashi. After breaking his goalscoring duck against Wolves on Saturday, he will be hoping to make it at least two from two as he gears up for another goal-laden season in the Hoops. 

Ryan’s team: Hart; Iwata, Nawrocki, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley; Abada, Kyogo, Maeda

Aidan Macdonald

Despite this being a testimonial, Celtic will be taking this game extremely seriously. It represents the final opportunity for Rodgers to implement his ideas in a game setting before the competitive actions begins. That is why he will start the match with a very strong side before making changes as the fixture progresses. There will be just one change for the starting XI that started against Wolves in Dublin.

Hart will begin the game between the sticks as he remains the number one choice at the club. He struggled with his distribution in the recent friendly and his frailties were also shown up at times with his shot-stopping.

Iwata will feature at right-back once again as Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston remain out injured. The Japanese player has equipped himself well so far in an unfamiliar position and has shown he can adapt to different scenarios. Stephen Welsh will remain in the centre of defence along with a returning Starfelt. Taylor will once again start at left-back as he remains the first choice in that position.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers opens up on Celtic's recruitment structure

In the midfield, McGregor and Hatate will once again feature as they continue to develop their mutual understanding as a double pivot that can anchor the team. 

Abada will start on the right-hand side as he continues to look like a player reborn under Rodgers. O'Riley retains his position as the number 10, a role he is improving in game by game. Maeda will once again begin the game on the left winger as he returns to his wide man role.

Up front, Kyogo will lead the line after scoring against Wolves in the last match. He is the main attacking force at the club and is important in how the manager wants the team to press.

Aidan's team: Hart; Iwata, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate; Abada, O'Riley, Maeda; Kyogo