THROUGHOUT the early few months of the 2022/23 Premiership season, Celtic have already established a firm grip atop the league table and are raring to reclaim their imposing stance thanks to the efforts provided by the various star names and quality of players who are so often on display.
The Bhoys have already set the Scottish football season ablaze during its opening 12 games as the Glaswegian giants remain ahead of the pack in the SPL with a four-point advantage over their nearest challengers from Ibrox.
The form has ensure they’re favourites to win it in the sports betting, with the only loss this season came in a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to St. Mirren. They overcame Livingston 3-0 in West Lothian to restore their lead after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side had beaten Aerdeen 4-1 24 hours earlier.
To rub further salt into the Ibrox wounds, Ange Postecoglou’s men, of course, displayed the form of champions when they enjoyed a 4-0 romp in the Glasgow derby in September.
If Celtic are aiming to complete another back-to-back title winning season, they will need to rely on their most established names to step up during crunch time performances throughout the domestic season to ensure that there is no chance that their spot atop the league will fluctuate between positions.
These are some of the top Celtic players who are expected to be the true difference makers in determining the Bhoys’ success for the 2022/23 SPL season:
- FILIPE JOTA
Without question the most vastly entertaining player to watch during any given Celtic matchday, mainly thanks to his immense skilful play and link-up ability, is the Portuguese youngster Jota who has dazzled Celtic fans and is sure to be one of the first names on the team sheet for every upcoming matchday.
The £6.5million buy from Benfica in the summer netted his sisxth goal of the season in his comeback game against Livingston on Sunday after missing five successive outings. .
At just 23 years of age, Jota is already a menacing force for any opposing defender on the flanks with the winger looking to showcase his game as a creative threat that Celtic can utilize in games where they are struggling to breakdown an opposition’s backline.
Jota has impressed the imposing Celtic fanbase with his pace, skill and noticeable end product which will make him a key contributor to the Bhoys’ ruthless attack-orientated style of play under manager Postecoglou.
- AARON MOOY
A major injury to the side’s midfield box-to-box threat Callum McGregor has been highlighted as a monumental setback for the Hoops and their title-winning aspirations as the Scottish international is an integral part to their midfield tandem.
Stepping in to replace McGregor will be the former Manchester City and Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy, who is still looking to earn confirmation for a spot in the Australian national side’s starting line-up for the impending FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Mooy was a centrical part to the 2017/18 Huddersfield side that staved off relegation during their inaugural Premier League campaign, with the Australian international earning the plaudits from various media figures for his impeccable performances.
While Mooy has since struggled to find a destination suited for his play style and wider needs, this opportunity with Celtic could be a major chance for Mooy to establish himself as a fan favorite at Celtic Park and as a solution for any depth concerns in the midfield during McGregor’s absence.
- SEAD HAKSABANOVIC
One of Celtic’s main marquee summer acquisitions is beginning to develop into a major factor that the Bhoys can utilize on the flanks for further impact alongside the aforementioned Jota and fan favorite James Forrest.
The Montenegro international joined the Scottish side in the final weeks of the summer transfer window for £2 million from Rubin Kazan and, after a promising showing against Hibs, looks set to become an impressive breakout talent for Postecoglou’s side.
With both Haksabanovic and Jota working on the flanks, Celtic’s wider creativity has been on great display making the 23-year-old a nightmare for opposing defenders to cope with amidst a furry of attacking spells.
While Haksabanovic’s wider qualities may not be fully merited or translated into the goal/assist numbers, Celtic fans will be aware of the impact that his play brings to the team’s production in attack and the pivotal play of creativity that has often been neglected from a few first team regulars.
