The Irishman is desperate for one of his strikers to nail down a starting berth and take on the goal mantle
11:05, 04 Mar 2026Updated 15:08, 04 Mar 2026
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill during a training session(Image: PA)
Celtic’s need for a prolific, out and out number nine has plagued them all season – with fans longing for the days when the likes of Kyogo, Odsonne Edouard or Moussa Dembele burst the net for fun.
And despite having several options available in the striking position for the trip to Aberdeen, it remains up in the air who Martin O’Neill will select to lead the line at Pittodrie.
Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara were both drafted in on loan in the winter window but have managed just two goals between them in 10 combined appearances. Austria international Adamu started Sunday’s pulsating 2-2 draw with Rangers but was hooked at half-time before his team fought back to claim a point.
However, instead of introducing Cvancara in a straight swap, the Wolfsburg loanee was left on the bench as Daizen Maeda was moved through the middle – despite the Japan star’s failure to find the net in his last 11 matches.
Ahead of the clash in the Granite City, O’Neill has hinted that Kelechi Iheanacho could feature at Pittodrie having only been used fleetingly since his return from injury. The Irishman has also revealed with a couple of niggles in the squad, Lorient loan player Joel Mvuka could be brought back in from the cold, having featured just once since his January arrival.
On Iheanacho, he said: “I don’t think he’s played that much during the course of the season, to tell you the truth. But I think he’s got a good ability to hold it up. It’s just in terms of full fitness and things, that’s a bit of a concern. “It is possible (Iheanacho could feature against Aberdeen).
And on Mvuka, he noted: “I’m hoping there’ll be a bit of disappointment. He found it difficult in the first half. That was the Dundee game. He’s been out of the picture a little while. But no, he’s trained very, very well. Just recently trained very well, indeed.”
With no one at his disposal yet to nail down the number nine, it really is a guess who will be Celtic’s focal point tonight. Sebastian Tounetki has found form in recent weeks and is likely to start on the left meaning misfiring Maeda could be entrusted through the middle, where his pace is still a real asset.
Luke McCowan was unfortunate not to be given the nod in Sunday’s draw at Ibrox after bagging the winner against Stuttgart in the Europa League days earlier but could be handed a start along with Reo Hatate, who’s dramatic rebounded strike from his own missed penalty earned Celts a share of the spoils in Goven. Could that see top goal scorer Benjamin Nygren drop out or move into a wide position?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also given an early bath after 45 minutes on Sunday and may have to make do with a place on the bench this time around.
O’Neill has confirmed that back-up stopper Viljami Sinisalo will once again wear the gloves in between the posts, with Kasper Schmeichel facing a race against the clock to recover from an illness ahead of the rematch with Rangers in the Scottish Cup in four days time.
A predicted Celtic team to face Aberdeen
Celtic fans have only seen a brief 17 minute cameo from defender Benjamin Arthur following his loan switch from Brentford and the Englishman has a right job on his hands to try and dislodge starting duo Liam Scales and Dane Murray, with Auston Trusty still suspended.
Dane Murray has performed very well alongside Scales in the last two matches but could miss out in favour of the more experienced Trusty.
Julian Araujo made some costly errors against Rangers that directly lead to goals last weekend but should still be included from the start at right back.
Celtic predicted XI: Sinisalo, Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney, Hatate, McGregor, McCowan, Nygren, Maeda, Tounekti