Three Celtic players should be axed vs Falkirk as O'Neill rings the changes

Correspondent argues Scales, Johnstone and Donovan should be dropped for Sunday's trip to Falkirk as O'Neill rotates his squad.

Celtic correspondent Oliver has identified three players who deserve to lose their starting places ahead of Sunday's Scottish Premiership visit to Falkirk. Liam Scales, who has started nine successive league games, put in a poor defensive display in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United, failing to clear the ball for Neil Farrugia's goal and looking uncomfortable alongside Dane Murray. The Irish centre-back ranks poorly across key defensive metrics this season and should make way as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty return to contention.

Goalkeeper Craig Johnstone has conceded five goals in the last week and is underperforming on save percentage and expected goals prevented compared to other Premiership keepers. Viljami Sinisalo, who helped Celtic win the title last season, deserves a recall. Right-back Donovan, despite signing a new long-term contract earlier this month, has struggled with three yellow cards in his last four games and created no chances against Dundee United before being substituted after 52 minutes against Hibernians last weekend.

Manager Martin O'Neill's side remain top of the Premiership but have not been at their best for several weeks, losing two in a row in the Europa League. The Hoops boss is still searching for his preferred starting lineup while keeping a large squad content.