Ross County v Celtic: team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated Jan 11, 2025 2:43 AM ET

Celtic face Ross County this afternoon in the SPFL Premiership. The Scottish Champions travel up to the Highlands in sub-zero conditions as they target to extend their lead at the top of the table to 18 points. Brendan Rodgers’ side were 2-0 winners on Wednesday night after goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate put Dundee United to the sword. Twenty four hours later, Rangers drew at Dens Park to open a 15 point gap.

Team News

Celtic are struggling in the wide areas with Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn having picked up knocks in the win over Dundee United. Kühn was replaced by Yang before kickoff while Maeda completed 90 minutes after scoring the opening goal of the game. Luis Palma, who came on in the second half against Jim Goodwin’s side, sadly suffered a bereavement and will be unavailable. James Forrest remains out with an injury.

Kasper Schmeichel will start in goals. The Dane conceded his first Premiership goal in the meeting between the sides earlier this season in Dingwall with Ronan Hale scoring from the spot.

Brendan appears to have returned to the preferred back four with Auston Trusty partnering Cameron Carter-Vickers in the central pairing with Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor at fullback. Given the changes that are likely to come in attack, you would expect the manager to limit the amount of changes he makes.

In midfield, expect Callum McGregor to start at the base of the trio with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate.

In attack, the manager is limited in terms of wide options. Yang will likely start out wide. Luke McCowan could start out wide too; however, the manager could go with Kyogo and Adam Idah with the Japanese striker starting on the left.

Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Taylor, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Kyogo, Idah, Yang.