SWEDISH central defender Carl Starfelt goes straight into the fray to make his debut for Celtic in the Premiership opener against Hearts at Tynecastle tonight.
Surprisingly, Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who only arrived in Scotland this morning after his quarantine period, is handed a place on the substitutes’ bench.
Starfelt, a £4.5million signing from Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, will line up in the middle of the rearguard alongside Nir Bitton who was banned from the midweek 2-1 Champions League loss against FC Midtjylland that led to a 3-2 exit in Denmark.
Rookie defenders Stephen Welsh and Dane Murray drop out of the starting line-up although Welsh is in the stand-by squad.
Another new Bhoy, Israeli winger Liel Abada, will start on the right with James Forrest on the opposite flank.
Scott Bain continues in goal with Vasilis Barkas also on the bench.
TEAM: Bain, Ralston, Starfelt, Bitton Taylor; Abada, Soro, McGregor, Turnbull, Forrest; Edouard. Subs: Barkas, Furuhashi, Ajeti, Christie, Rogic. Montgomery, Welsh.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Hearts v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
