{"id":25080,"date":"2026-03-20T20:28:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T20:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/2026\/03\/20\/mcgregor-to-return-predicted-4-3-3-celtic-lineup-to-face-dundee-united\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T20:28:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T20:28:22","slug":"mcgregor-to-return-predicted-4-3-3-celtic-lineup-to-face-dundee-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/2026\/03\/20\/mcgregor-to-return-predicted-4-3-3-celtic-lineup-to-face-dundee-united\/","title":{"rendered":"McGregor To Return? | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Dundee United"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Despite the crisis and conundrums, Celtic<\/a> have been grinding out results under Martin O\u2019Neill since returning as interim chief, replacing Wilfried Nancy earlier this year. Hearts\u2019 surprise defeat against Kilmarnock has boosted their Premiership hopes, as the Hoops are now two points behind the league leaders ahead of locking horns with Dundee United at Tannadice Park.<\/p>\n

The Tangerines suffered a 4-0 defeat at Parkhead in January, but scripted a second-half comeback in their own backyard when these two sides clashed heads in December. They have not been beaten at home since February, and it remains to be seen whether Jim Goodwin\u2019s men extend their strong run on Sunday afternoon. Celtic, on the other hand, would aim for all three points and pray for Hearts\u2019 setback against Dundee to clinch the top of the table spot before the international break.<\/p>\n

Defence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The reason behind Kasper Schmeichel\u2019s struggles is now clear: the veteran Dane requires two shoulder operations, which could end<\/a> his career. However, Viljami Sinisalo is relishing his opportunities between the sticks, and the Finnish custodian should make them count to cement the \u2018number 1\u2019 status beyond this season.<\/p>\n

\"Celtic
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND \u2013 JANUARY 10: Benjamin Nygren of Celtic scores his team\u2019s third goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Julian Araujo remains in doubt this weekend due to a thigh strain. Alistair Johnston is doing light training, but the Canadian must not be rushed into action, given his long injury layoff. O\u2019Neill has preferred Colby Donovan over Anthony Ralston, and the young right fullback should keep his place, having impressed against Motherwell. Benjamin Arthur has been headstrong in deep defence, but the on-loan Brentford centre-back could make way for Auston Trusty, who is eligible again after serving his suspension. Liam Scales is expected to retain his starting status, and so is Kieran Tierney down the left, ahead of Marcelo Saracchi.<\/p>\n

Midfield<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Callum McGregor is on track to be fit against United. His return should help the Celts dominate the midfield battle, as the veteran Scotsman would orchestrate the show from the base as a deep-lying playmaker. Arne Engels is closing in on a return, but the gaffer is likely to stick with Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren as the \u2018number 8\u2019 pair. Engels might get involved from the bench, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan.<\/p>\n

Attack<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tomas Cvancara has been effective from the bench of late, and the manager should reintegrate him high up the pitch, shifting Daizen Maeda to the left-hand flank. Hyun-Jun Yang must have cemented his starting status, scoring a brace against the Well. Sebastian Tounekti, James Forrest, Kelechi Iheanacho, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka are available among the alternate attacking options, and some of them could make the matchday squad as substitutes.\"football<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Despite the crisis and conundrums, Celtic have been grinding out results under Martin O\u2019Neill since returning as interim chief, replacing Wilfried Nancy earlier this year. Hearts\u2019 surprise defeat against Kilmarnock has boosted their Premiership hopes, as the Hoops are now two points behind the league leaders ahead of locking horns with Dundee United at Tannadice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12953,"featured_media":25081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12953"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25080"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25080\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo76e71539\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}