Rodgers names first competitive Celtic line-up since Parkhead return

Celtic host Ross County as the new Premiership season kicks-off in Glasgow.

Rodgers names first competitive Celtic line-up since return in league opener SNS Group

Brendan Rodgers has named his first Celtic team for a competitive game since his Parkhead return for their Premiership opener against Ross County.

The Scottish champions begin the defence of their title by hosting Malky MacKay’s side in the first top-flight game of the season.

Last season’s treble-winners will be looking to get off to a winning start against the Highland side who narrowly avoided the drop in a dramatic play-off win last season.

New signing Maik Nawrocki starts in defence, but Reo Hatate and Carl Starfelt, who were both key-players in last season’s treble winning campaign, drop to the bench.

Yang, Holm and Kwon could also be in line for a competitive debut with all three named among the subs.

Rodgers won seven out of seven trophies, including back-to-back trebles, during his last two and a half year spell in Scotland and he will looking that success this time around.

But former Celtic defender MacKay will be hoping to pull off a shock result to start their season with a bang in the east-end of Glasgow.

Celtic start with Joe Hart in goals behind a back four of Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki and Greg Taylor.

Captain Callum McGregor will be aiming to add to his 20 major honours for the Hoops this season and he starts in a midfield three with David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley.

Last season’s Premiership top-scorer and Player of the Year Kyogo Furuhashi leads the line for the hosts with Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda at either side of him.

Ross County start with Laidlaw in goals behind Randall, Brown, Baldwin, Nightingale, White, Harmon, Ohanda, Sims, Loturi and Murray.

The 12:30 kick-off fires the starting gun for a shiny new campaign with six other teams starting their season at 3pm before Kilmarnock host Rangers in Saturday’s late game.

Hibs play St Mirren on Sunday to complete the opening weekend’s fixtures.

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