Celtic Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Kühn · Taylor · Johnston · Scales · Carter-Vickers · Hatate · McGregor · Furuhashi · Maeda · Engels · Schmeichel

Celtic aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and attack with verticality using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup relies on quick transitions and heavy pressure to unsettle the opposition. The team looks to control games by squeezing the space in the middle and using wide areas to stretch the opposition defence.

Schmeichel acts as the last line of defence in goal. The back five consists of Hatate, Scales, and Carter-Vickers in the center, with Taylor and Johnston operating as wide wing backs. Carter-Vickers provides aerial strength and physicality, while Scales serves as a ball playing centre back to help play out from the back. Hatate adds extra cover in the middle to defend zonally. Taylor and Johnston are expected to push high to provide width, while the central trio holds a compact shape to deny runners.

The midfield functions as a double pivot consisting of McGregor and Engels. McGregor, who is the captain, uses his high pressing intensity and passing range to control the tempo and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Engels works alongside him to drive forward with the ball and win the second ball. This pairing must shield the defence and ensure they do not get bypassed during transitions. They act as the engine to progress through the thirds.

Celtic uses three attackers to pin the last defender and create chaos. Maeda acts as a pressing centre forward on the left to force a long ball, while Kühn operates as an inverted winger on the right to cut inside and create chances. Furuhashi leads the line as a striker, looking to make runs in behind or link up play between the lines. The attackers work to trigger a press and create combinations through quick movement and passing.

This formation offers Celtic significant tactical advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. The wide areas are heavily contested by the wing backs, creating wide overloads that allow the team to spread wide. Additionally, the five man defensive unit provides great compactness when defending, making it difficult for opponents to find space in the box.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for teams that want to dominate through aggressive pressing and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for matches against opponents that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.