Celtic predicted XI v Hibs: Neil Lennon drops £5m ace, 22-year-old comes in

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Neil Lennon’s Celtic return to Premiership action this weekend after the final international break of the year is finally out of the way.

The Hoops have suffered their fair share of chaos brought about by their players going off to play for their countries amid current events over the past few weeks.

On a brighter note, some of Celtic’s players have played their part in helping Scotland qualify for next year’s European Championships, the nation’s first major tournament since 1998.

However, there’s bound to be a collective sigh of relief now that the next international break isn’t until March, and the Bhoys have a lot of work to do if they are to win a tenth title in a row.

So, who could start for Celtic in Saturday’s trip to Hibernian, based on how things stand at present?

Scott Bain appears to have cemented his place in Lennon’s XI so he’s unlikely to be budged, with Vasilis Barkas probably having to make do with another stint on the bench.

The defence is likely to remain the same as against Motherwell, namely Diego Laxalt, Kristoffer Ajer, Nir Bitton and Jeremie Frimpong.

According to the Scottish Sun, the SFA and SPFL’s Joint Response Group is likely to rule that Ajer and Mohamed Elyounoussi will be able to play this weekend.

The same outlet reported last week that Frimpong escaped serious injury following Devante Cole’s foul, and should be fine to feature against Hibs.

Scott Brown and Callum McGregor are shoo-ins in the middle, while Elyounoussi, Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie are also likely to stay put in the XI.

The most likely change is up front, with Odsonne Edouard shining for France Under-21s in midweek, helping them qualify for the European Championships.

The 22-year-old made the bench last time out but he could return to the starting line-up, with £5million summer signing Albian Ajeti making way.

Celtic predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bain; Frimpong, Bitton, Ajer, Laxalt; Brown, McGregor; Christie, Rogic, Elyounoussi; Edouard