After securing their third successive Premiership title, Celtic are aiming for Cup glory on Saturday afternoon. They would lock horns with Rangers at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup final, and the Gers, having been beaten thrice and drawn once in their four meetings so far this season, must defy the odds to complete a Cup double after winning the League Cup in December defeating Aberdeen.
The Hoops claimed a hard-fought semifinal win when they passed the Dons test in the tiebreaker. While a brace from Cyriel Dessers earned Rangers a commanding victory en route to securing the showdown, the challenge would be sterner this time around given the Hoops’ high-flying winning run since settling for a 3-3 draw at Ibrox.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers
Defence
A comprehensive league win allowed Brendan Rodgers to rest and rotate his first-team stars. Veteran Joe Hart would aim for one more trophy in the final professional game of his illustrious career as his presence between the sticks still offers firmness and composure.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales have impressed all season in the heart of the backline and the duo must exhibit their strength and character against the flair of Fabio Silva and the poaching trait of Cyriel Dessers. An injury to Stephen Welsh against St Mirren could cost him a place in the matchday squad, but the Bhoys have Maik Nawrocki in their ranks who would cover for the first-team central defensive pair. While right fullback Anthony Ralston might find himself as the understudy to Alistair Johnston, his compatriot Greg Taylor remains the obvious choice down the left for his marauding runs as well as timely trackbacks.
Midfield
Rodgers’ selection of a three-man midfield requires very little thought. Skipper Callum McGregor is irreplaceable deep down the midfield, also his presence at the base allows both Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate to exhibit their finesse in the advanced areas of the pitch. The trio excelled during Ange Postecoglou’s regime and the Northern Irishman is reaping the benefits despite roping in the likes of Paulo Bernardo and Odin Thiago Holm last summer. Tomoki Iwata could also be involved as a second-half substitute to calm things down and marshall the defence.
Attack
The winter arrivals of Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah have added more depth and quality across the frontline. But the scoring record of Kyogo Furuhashi against the Gers makes him an obvious choice for the starting status ahead of Idah and Oh Hyeon-gyu. James Forrest has impressed of late, and therefore, should return down the right replacing Kühn. Daizen Maeda must feature from the left-hand flank for his high work ethic and link-up play, whereas Luis Palma could get involved from the bench to add more flair and directness to Celtic attack.
