Confirmed Celtic lineup for St Johnstone: Duffy in, Ajeti drops to bench

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Celtic bring back much-maligned defender following Stephen Welsh’s injury

Shane Duffy’s time with his boyhood heroes has not exactly gone to plan, but he’s got a chance to prove himself again this afternoon.

He comes back into Neil Lennon’s side for the trip to face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, with Stephen Welsh dropping out due to injury.

The 21-year-old has been preferred to Duffy at the centre of Celtic’s defence in recent weeks, but he was stretchered off during Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley.

It’s since been confirmed that his injury is not as severe as it first appeared, but he’s not available for today’s match.

Duffy replaced him on the night and starts for Lennon’s men in Perth today.

Ryan Christie comes in at the expense of Albian Ajeti, with the champions looking to maintain the recent upturn in form that has seen them win three games on the trot, during which time they’ve scored 10 goals and conceded just one.

Victory today would reduce Rangers’ lead at the top of the table to 18 points, after Steven Gerrard’s men saw off Kilmarnock with a 1-0 win at Ibrox on Saturday.

STARTING XI: Bain, Taylor, Ajer, Kenny, Duffy, Brown, McGregor, Rogic, Turnbull, Edouard, Christie.

SUBS: Barkas, Griffiths, Ajeti Klimala, Soro, Johnston, Elyounoussi, Ralston, Laxalt

Lennon has praised Saints boss Callum Davidson ahead of today’s game, with the official Celtic website quoting him as saying: “It will be a difficult one. The two league games we’ve had – they got a good draw at Celtic Park and we left it late up there to win 2-0.

“I thought they were outstanding in the League Cup semi-final against Hibernian, and they’ve been buoyed by getting to the final.

“Callum’s put his own imprint on the team and they’re always tough to beat at any stage of the season, the way they’re structured – a bit like St Mirren really – but if we go in with a positive frame of mind and the right attitude again, then I’m hoping for another good performance.

“But we’ve got to earn the right to play.”