Celtic return home this weekend, as they take on St Johnstone in the third Scottish Premiership game of the season at a sold-out Celtic Park.

Manager Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a better performance than last time out, following Celtic’s 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the Viaplay Cup. With rumours swirling regarding potential incomings to the club, many will be hoping that this match will be the last game before new faces arrive concerning reinforcements.

Celtic have had a perfect start to the league season, winning 4-2 against Ross County on Flag Day, before consolidating proceedings further with a 3-1 victory at Pittodrie versus Aberdeen. Rodgers will be hoping for more of the same - especially on the attacking front – whilst a first clean sheet of the season will be in his and his defence’s sights. Easier said than done, however, as the club’s centre of defence has been ravaged by a multitude of injuries over the past few weeks.

So, in light of this, who will the manager elect to start the game against the Saints? Our writers have their say on Saturday afternoon’s line-up…

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Ryan McGinlay

In what has been a miserable week following the aftermath of the Viaplay Cup exit, Saturday feels like a good time to bounce back and install a bit of much-needed positivity on all matters Celtic for Rodgers.

With that being said, the manager will name the strongest possible squad available to him. Joe Hart will remain in goals, after delivering a passionate and emphatic press conference yesterday with regard to his answers. He spoke about “respecting the noise” when it comes to criticism from the outside, so hopefully the keeper can use his leadership and experience to help players through these next few games.

With Rodgers confirming that Alistair Johnston has been back in training for over a week, now is the time to put him straight back in the team from the off. Celtic need some form of stability - in what is otherwise a thrown-together backline - so the Canada international must start. On the other side of the defence, Greg Taylor will retain his position at left-back, though his overall performance in matches must improve if he is to keep it long-term, as he has struggled immensely to get into gear so far this season.

In the central areas of defence, Gustaf Lagerbielke will continue as the first choice in this position, following his debut last weekend. Liam Scales will come in out of the cold as defensive cover, though you would imagine stiffer tests will await the Irish defender going forward if he is to remain at the club.

In the midfield, captain Callum McGregor will start, he too will be hoping for an upturn in his performance levels after a slow start. Alongside him in the double pivot will be Odin Thiago Holm - who was admittedly quiet last week – but deserves a start at home to showcase his abilities on a better surface. Matt O’Riley will operate in the furthest-forward central midfield position once again for Celtic. Expect another big game from the gifted 22-year-old, who was one of the side’s better players in last week’s loss.

In the forward areas, Liel Abada will play on the right-hand side. It looks as if the Israel winger is staying at Celtic for the time being, with the club and his representatives in talks over his long-term future concerning a new contract. This game could be tailor-made for the wide player to get back into good form ahead of next week’s crunch game. On the other side, Yang Hyun-jun should get the nod over Daizen Maeda. The manager has been singing the praises of the summer signing from Gangwon in his limited appearances so far, with Yang being a bright spark in recent weeks coming off of the bench. It is time to play him from the start. No surprises on who will start up front, as Kyogo Furuhashi will no doubt lead the line for Celtic. Not scoring in a single game constitutes a drought for the talismanic figure, so the striker will be going all out to up his goal tally this weekend. Expect him to be firing on all cylinders at Celtic Park this weekend.

Ryan’s team: Hart; Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Holm; Abada, O’Riley, Yang; Kyogo

Tony Haggerty

It's broken and it's badly in need of fixing. 

Celtic were a pale shadow of themselves, as their treble tilt bit the dust in ignominy at Rugby Park last weekend. Rodgers will demand a response from his men after their League Cup exit at the hands of Kilmarnock.

The Northern Irishman will get one too against St Johnstone - who have endured a wretched start to the campaign under new boss Steven MacLean - but things aren't about to get any better for the Perth side.

Hart will remain in situ in goal and the men in green and white will welcome back the tenacity, grit and intelligent play of Canadian right-back Johnston, who has been sadly missed in his absence. Taylor who has not set the heather alight so far this season will continue at left-back. In the middle of the defence, Rodgers' hands are tied, with injuries to Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki and Welsh. Needs must and all that, and Lagerbielke will be deployed on the right-hand side of the defence with Liam Scales coming in from the cold to occupy the left-sided berth.

In midfield - in the continued absence of Hatate - it will be McGregor and Norwegian Holm, who whilst he didn't exactly cover himself in glory in Ayrshire, will be given a home debut to redeem himself and impress the Celtic faithful as well as his manager in the process O'Riley will be the furthest advanced of the three midfielders.

Offensively, South Korean Yang will be handed his first start, as he has looked lively in his cameo appearances thus far. He made a difference to Celtic's attacking impetus at Kilmarnock - albeit too little, too late - but he did earn praise from Rodgers, which will see him get the nod on the left wing. Abada will continue to do his thing on the right wing.

Kyogo will be the link-man again and will be expected to play with his back to the goal, as well as profit from any chances and balls that fall in and around the box to him. The Japanese goal-grabber is still at his best when he functions as an out-and-out striker, and he will be eager and hungry to add to his tally of two from three games in the campaign so far.

Celtic to pile on the agony for Saints - whilst putting on the style - and making it three Premiership wins in a row.

Tony's team: Hart; Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Holm; O'Riley, Abada, Yang; Kyogo