Confirmed Celtic line-up v Hearts: Three changes for Rodgers as striker returns
By Harry Sykes
Brendan Rodgers has made three changes to his team’s line-up for their opening match of the 2016/17 Premiership campaign.
Erik Sviatchenko’s injury, picked up in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier with Rosenborg, has meant him dropping out and Nir Bitton taking his place for the game that kicks off at 12.30pm.
Bitton came on for Sviatchenko in the game against Rosenborg in the 25th minute and won plaudits for his assured display at the back.
Rodgers is also without centre-back Dedryck Boyata and forward Moussa Dembele for the game, and will be hoping for more goals from James Forrest after his winning strike in the Champions League qualifier last Wednesday.
Leigh Griffiths returns and Olivier Ntcham is included in the starting XI, with Jonny Hayes and Stuart Armstrong dropping to the bench.
The team news was announced on Celtic’s official Twitter account on Saturday morning.
Celtic fans will be expecting a fast start to the new Premiership campaign but will be aware that all rival clubs will be looking to knock them off their perch after last season’s scintillating display.
Celtic went the whole season unbeaten in all domestic games and Rodgers will be looking for back-to-back trebles from his team this time around.
That’s a lot of pressure, but a convincing home victory on Saturday will go a long way to settling any nerves.
In other Celtic news, this BBC pundit makes a bold prediction about the club’s 2017/18 campaign.
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