It's a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday in Glasgow, as Celtic take on Jimmy Thelin’s high-flying Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

With both teams perfect in the league with eight wins out of eight respectively, something has got to give when Thelin’s side travel to the east end to face Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Last time out, Celtic defeated Ross County 2-1 up in Dingwall thanks to a late Nicolas Kuhn goal, while Aberdeen defeated the 10 men of Hearts 3-2 at Pittodrie just a couple of hours later. With both sides level on points, this is sure to be a showpiece game at Celtic Park come 3 pm on Saturday afternoon.

With that in mind, who will Rodgers elect to pick for this mammoth game against the Dons? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

 

What a massive game to come back to!

Personally, I've been looking forward to this game for a good few weeks, which has been helped due to the drab international break. It's been a long two weeks, folks.

Something has got to give here between Aberdeen and Celtic, which is why the latter will field the best possible team for this game in Glasgow.

In goals, Kasper Schmeichel will take his rightful place in between the sticks. Alistair Johnston will play at right-back, with Alex Valle pipping Greg Taylor due to the Scotland international’s injury. In the centre of defence, Liam Scales will be partnered by the returning Cameron Carter-Vickers, who will shake off his recent injury woes to face Aberdeen at a sold-out Celtic Park.

In midfield, captain Callum McGregor will play at the base of midfield, and will be joined by Paulo Bernardo – who gets in ahead of Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan – and record-signing Arne Engels. Bernardo deserves his starting spot in the team, though I would not complain if Rodgers picked Hatate or McCowan – such is the strength of Celtic’s engine room.

In the forward areas, Kyogo Furuhashi will lead the line for Celtic, supported by Kuhn on the right and Daizen Maeda on the left. All three can cause damage to an Aberdeen backline that has been leaking goals as of late.

Despite Aberdeen packing a punch, I expect Rodgers and Celtic to come out of this game as winners – by at least two goals. It is time for the club to show who are the top dogs in Scotland.

Ryan’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

Tony Haggerty

All roads lead to Celtic Park today. This is the biggest game on the British football calendar without a shadow of a doubt.

Two teams sporting a 100 per cent league-winning record of seven wins from seven matches. Something has to give...or does it?

The Scottish champions are hell-bent on retaining the status quo as Jimmy Thelin's men want to show that the threat from the north carries real red menace.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has lost just once to Aberdeen, ironically that was in the final game of the 2017/18 season when Andy Considine's solitary goal saw the Reds pip Rangers for the runners-up spot.  It was also the last time Aberdeen have defeated Celtic in any match. Read into that what you will.

In the last 25 matchups between the sides, Celtic have recorded 20 victories. This is a tall order for Aberdeen to win in Glasgow.

So who will the Irishman turn to in the heat of battle?

Schmeichel will be in between the sticks and a back four of Johnston at right-back and Barcelona loanee Valle will deputise for the injured Taylor at left-back with Cameron Carter-Vickers slotting back into the side after his toe problems alongside the excellent Scales.

In the engine room, skipper McGregor will be joined by Portuguese under-21 captain Bernardo and £11 million Belgian international Engels. It might be tough luck on McCowan who can count himself unfortunate not to make his first Celtic start but he will play a significant part in this one as he will feature at some point.

Kyogo will spearhead the attack alongside killer Kuhn on the right wing. The German will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 14 goal contributions this season so far and Maeda will be on the left flank.

Aberdeen to make a game of it but Celtic to win by two clear goals at least.

Tony's team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda