Celtic Launch League Cup Campaign with Martin O’Neill Back

Martin O’Neill is back in the Celtic dugout tonight, stepping into the technical area at Tannadice as the holders launch their League Cup campaign against Dundee United – and he has wasted no time putting his stamp on the team.

Fresh from a 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock in the SPFL last weekend, Celtic show four changes for this evening’s tie. Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Colby Donovan are all drafted into the starting XI, a blend of experience, versatility and raw energy for a cup night under the lights.

Dropping out from last week’s line-up are Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston, Kieran Tierney and Yang, all absent from the initial selection. The reshuffle gives Oxlade-Chamberlain his latest stage in green and white, while Tounekti and Donovan offer fresh angles in wide and defensive areas. Scales returns to bolster the back line, adding balance on the left side.

O’Neill’s bench carries its own intrigue. New Bhoys Haissem and Hassan are both named among the substitutes, joined by Mika Baur, who completed his move to the champions earlier in the week. It’s a clear signal that the manager is ready to lean on the full depth of his squad as the fixtures start to stack up.

Celtic’s Team

CELTIC: Sinisalo, Donovan, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Scales, McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nygren, Durán, Tounekti, Høgh.

Subs: Doohan, McCowan, Hassan, Osmand, Baur, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Kick-off at Tannadice is at 5.45pm, where O’Neill’s return, a reshaped XI and a clutch of new faces set the stage for a compelling first step in Celtic’s latest hunt for silverware.