Celtic v Livingston: Predicted XI with JSP, Bernardo and Shin starting

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 6:58 AM ET

Celtic face Livingston this afternoon in the Scottish Premiership. The Scottish Champions need to get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw against Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League Playoff First Leg.

Brendan Rodgers has said he will shuffle the pack with a view to that trip out of Europe. There are a number of issues with injuries and lack of options, meaning that it is not entirely clear how Celtic will set up.

Celtic go into the game without Adam Idah, Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston. The Canadian Internationalist is expected to be out for around 12 weeks with a hamstring injury with Academy product Colby Donovan expected to come into the first team picture to compete with Tony Ralston for a place in the team. Trusty is out with a foot injury while Idah has a knock to the knee.

Brendan has said that he will make a number of changes as he looks to freshen things up with Tuesday’s return leg in mind. There are limitations to what the manager can do given the lack of offensive recruitments.

Kasper Schmeichel will start in goals. The Danish Internationalist was an assured presence at the back in the midweek and his experience will be invaluable if a result is to be forthcoming.

In defence, expect Kieran Tierney to continue with Liam Scales. However, there may be a debut for JSP, the loan signing from Manchester City as Cameron Carter-Vickers’ minutes are managed. Tony Ralston will start at left back. KT may even captain the side if CalMac starts from the bench.

In midfield, expect changes to freshen up the starting XI with Arne Engels, Paulo Bernado and Luke McCowan all coming in to start. Benji Nygren could very well start in the wide right role or, equally, Luke McCowan may be pushed to the left side of a front three.

In attack, Celtic may require to start either Shin Yamada or Johnny Kenny through the middle with Yang and James Forrest vying to play out wide. The manager could play Yamada off the right, too. There are a number of combinations that the manager may consider but the reality is that there is not an abundance of quality options.

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

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