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How to play as Celtic in FIFA 19
Celtic are dominant in Scotland, but can you guide them to European glory? With these tips and tactics you'll have a shot.
The loss of manager Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City has done little to dent Celtic’s title hopes – the Bhoys remain top of the Scottish Premiership by a considerable margin. Winning the title shouldn't be too difficult for returning boss Neil Lennon, but it's what comes next that's the real challenge. Can Celtic compete in Europe?
You can take on that challenge for yourself by managing Celtic in FIFA 19’s Career Mode. While capturing the Scottish Premiership may not prove too difficult of a task, lifting the Champions League trophy will require plenty of high-level play and a clever tactical approach.
There are lots of excellent Celtic players, formations and tactics that can help you fast-track your way to glory in FIFA 19. We’ve picked out the very best ways to take charge of Neil Lennon’s side and achieve huge success in your Career Mode campaign.
What formation should you play?
The 4-2-3-1 requires an excellent CAM to provide attacking support
© EA Sports
4-2-3-1 Wide
The current default formation for Celtic in FIFA 19 is the 4-2-3-1 Wide. This allows you to utilise the side’s plethora of CDMs in two available slots, while Ryan Christie perfectly fits the CAM role. The 4-2-3-1 is primarily a defensive formation, offering plenty of cover at the back, while attacks can often be spearheaded from the wings due to Celtic’s speed in wide areas.
4-4-2 Holding
Both the standard and ‘holding’ variations of the 4-4-2 are worth trying out, but we prefer the latter due to Celtic’s proficiency in CDM areas. Again, this formation is similar to the aforementioned 4-2-3-1, but trades a CAM for a second striker. This allows you to make use of Celtic’s high-potential strikers, such as Odsonne Édouard, while also partnering them with experience.
5-4-1
Celtic are well-placed to utilise a five-man setup in defence due to their strength at the back. The 5-4-1 is generally a counter-attack tactic – perfect for tough games in the Champions League – and you’ll want to make use of the team’s strength in wide areas to create chances. We suggest opting for a back three of Ajer, Boyata and Benković with this formation.
Who’s in the team?
Expect young Kieran Tierney to develop considerably in future seasons
© EA Sports
Defence
Celtic’s best goalkeeper is veteran Craig Gordon, but his advancing age makes 26-year-old Scott Bain the better long-term prospect. The two centre-back slots are best filled by Kristoffer Ajer and Filip Benković, who both boast outstanding potential, while Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Šimunović are worthy backups. Left-back Tierney has the highest potential in the entire squad (86), and the best right-back in the team is Jeremy Toljan.
Midfield
The top two CDMs in the side are Callum McGregor and Scott Brown, but if you’re thinking long term, swap out the latter for the initially worse, but highly-promising Olivier Ntcham instead. The Frenchman can also play in CM alongside Ryan Christie, while the CAM slot is also best occupied by Christie or Rogic. Scott Sinclair and James Forrest are the top wide midfielders initially, but will eventually be surpassed by youngsters Burke, Johnston and Arzani.
Attack
Celtic aren’t set up with many natural wingers in FIFA 19, but 18-year-old Timothy Weah can hit a massive 85 given the chance. He’s also great in a striker role, as is fellow youngster Odsonne Édouard, who is the best option up front. Leigh Griffiths is the highest-rated striker in the team, but won’t improve much (if at all) in future seasons, while 21-year-old Oliver Burke’s potential isn’t quite as high as Weah or Édouard's.
Which tactics should you use?
Scott Sinclair is equipped with an 80 penalties stat and 76 shot power
© EA Sports
The default offensive setup for Celtic is a possession-based style, and this works well in conjunction with the team’s short passing ability in midfield. You can always revert to the ‘balanced’ style when in need of quicker build-up play, while the defensive ‘press after possession loss’ tactic suits the team’s highly-competent CBs down to a tee.
In terms of player instructions, we suggest assigning Kieran Tierney to ‘join the attack’ from the left-back position. The pacey Scottish wonderkid can cause havoc when overlapping the wide men, contributing to the attack in an effective manner. This can also free up your wide midfielders to ‘cut inside’ when in need of more direct goalscoring opportunities.
There aren’t many players to call on from set pieces, however. The best free-kick taker in the side (by far) is Leigh Griffiths, who boasts an 85 in FK. accuracy and 81 shot power. Corners are best left to Tom Rogic or Ryan Christie, who possess mediocre long pass and curve stats, while the top penalty taker in the side is 29-year-old Scott Sinclair.
Check out more FIFA 19 team guides below
