Celtic Launch League Cup Campaign Under Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill is back on the touchline tonight as Celtic launch their League Cup campaign away to Dundee United – and he’s wasted no time freshening up a winning side.

Fresh from a thumping 5-1 SPFL victory at Kilmarnock last weekend, O’Neill has made four changes for the trip to Tannadice, shaking the pack but keeping the intent clear: keep the momentum, test the depth.

Liam Scales returns to the starting XI, with Sebastian Tounekti and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also drafted in. Colby Donovan, who starts at right-back, is the other new face from the team that began in Ayrshire.

Dropping out of the line-up that started at Rugby Park are Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston, Kieran Tierney and Yang, none of whom make the first whistle this evening.

There is intrigue on the bench as well. New Bhoys Haissem and Hassan are both included among the substitutes, joined by Mika Baur, who completed his move to the champions during the week and is immediately thrown into the matchday squad.

O’Neill’s selection leans on experience through the spine with Callum McGregor and Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield, and Cameron Carter-Vickers marshalling the back line, while the pace and movement of Nygren, Durán, Tounekti and Høgh offer plenty of threat in the final third.

Celtic XI at Tannadice

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, with Celtic beginning another tilt at domestic silverware under a manager who knows exactly what it takes to lift this trophy.