Ange Postecoglou has witnessed some vibrant moments from his team since he became the new manager of Celtic but there is no escaping that the 2021/22 season is, so far, their worst in 23 years.
After six matches, the Hoops sit on just nine points, seven fewer than they had after as many games last term.
Neil Lennon eventually resigned from his position after such a torrid beginning in 2020/21 but Postecoglou feels like he’s here for the long haul.
Celtic’s home form has been outstanding at times but they still need to work on grinding results out on the road. At the moment, they are yet to win away from home in the league under the new manager.
Fortunately, they’ll be playing at Parkhead on Sunday when Dundee United come to visit.
But how could the Bhoys line up? Here’s what we’re predicting...
We are tipping the boss to make just three changes to the team that beat Raith Rovers 3-0 so comfortably in the League Cup a few days ago.
Two of the changes will come in defence where Anthony Ralston and Adam Montgomery are axed from the full-back positions.
We have championed the idea of Montgomery starting on the left but anticipate Boli Bolingoli to be given a successive league start after he returned against Livingston a week ago.
It would be a bold call to give him another chance but with Greg Taylor out for 12 matches, they don’t exactly have too many options.
On the right, summer signing Josip Juranovic is preferred after he was dropped from the XI versus Raith Rovers.
The final alteration is in the middle of the park where James McCarthy is given the boot. The Irishman has copped some serious flack over the last week after earning his first two starts.
He hasn’t performed particularly well, especially against Livingston a week ago. McCarthy didn’t provide a single piece of positive play in the final third and also lost the ball on 15 occasions.
Consequently, £12.5k-per-week Ismaila Soro takes his place in the side with Callum McGregor still out injured.
Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston have also been ruled out of the clash with fitness concerns.