Engels Should Start | Predicted 3-4-2-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Aberdeen

Things have gone awry for Wilfried Nancy, who lost all four games in charge since being appointed as the Celtic boss. Rangers are catching up following an unbeaten Premiership run under Danny Rohl, and a defeat at Parkhead against Aberdeen could see them drop to third if the Gers claim a victory over the league leaders Hearts on Sunday afternoon.

The Dons denied Celtic a ‘treble’ last season, as they conquered the Scottish Cup by clinching a win on penalties. Although they endured a dreadful start early into the 2025-26 campaign, Jimmy Thelin has turned things around with an array of favourable outcomes. They have climbed up to the top half of the league table, and the in-form Aberdeen could further jeopardise Nancy’s future before Christmas Eve.

Predicted 3-4-2-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Aberdeen

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel is having a hard time between the sticks, primarily due to the lack of composure in deep defence amid the change of formation and style of play. Yet he must exhibit his experience and expertise between the sticks and aim for a clean sheet this weekend.

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 17: Zac Sapsford of Dundee United battling with Kieran Tierney of Celtic during the William Hill Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on December 17, 2025 in Dundee, United Kingdom. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Nancy dropped Liam Scales in favour of Anthony Ralston against Dundee United. Despite Scales’ versatility, the gaffer should stick with the Scottish fullback duo of Ralston and Kieran Tierney as centre-backs on either side of Auston Trusty. With Cameron Carter-Vickers ruled out for the season, Ralston would offer a balance in the heart of the backline, being the only right-footed defender. Dane Murray, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Colby Donovan are too young to handle this situation, but they would offer the necessary depth in the defensive third.

Midfield

Paulo Bernardo was handed a rare start against the Tangerines. But the Portuguese failed to make any notable impact in the middle of the park, which could result in Arne Engels’ return to the starting XI. The Belgian, alongside Callum McGregor, must help the defence as well as script attacking transitions with swift passing, distribution and vision.

Celtic do not have outright wingbacks who would fit in Nancy’s setup. Injuries to Marcelo Saracchi and Alistair Johnston decimated the Bhoys down the wide, and the Frenchman might rely on Hyun-Jun Yang and Luke McCowan, with Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha unavailable due to the AFCON.

Japanese duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda should be tried as the midfield attackers, given their chemistry and creative spark in and around the attacking third. Benjamin Nygren and the fit-again James Forrest could be deployed off the bench, similar to the midweek encounter.

Attack

Injuries to Callum Osmand and Kelechi Iheanacho would present another opportunity to Johnny Kenny up top. Shin Yamada should be there among the substitutes, as the forgotten summer recruit must be desperate to make the minutes count.