Celtic face a trip to Ibrox for the second time in a week as attention turns to Scottish Cup duty. Here’s all you need to know for Sunday’s showdown.
Last weekend’s clash was the very definition of a game of two halves, though Martin O’Neill’s side must avoid as slow a start this time around.
Cup football bears a weight unlike league action, with the knockout element adding another layer of jeopardy. As if this derby needs that.
7,500 Celtic fans are set to back Ibrox. The first time a return to this allocation will have been seen since 2018, due to Scottish Cup rules giving away sides the right to ask for 20% of a stadium’s capacity.
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Auston Trusty is available. His suspension only applies to league games, so he may get the nod.
Dane Murray picked up an injury in the warm-up at Pittodrie and is a doubt. There is concern for Kieran Tierney’s foot injury, with further checks being carried out as he faces a rush to be available for Sunday. He was missing from training on Friday as the Bhoys were put through their paces.
O’Neill provided an update:
“Although the injury had to his foot.
“He’s actually clearing up.
“But he’s just generally sore in every aspect.
“So we’ll see how he is tomorrow.
“But generally speaking, he’s done fabulous for us, and now he’s getting back to almost complete fitness, which is great.”
Benjamin Arthur made his first start for the injured Murray and was awarded MOTM in Wednesday’s win at Aberdeen. He’s in contention to start.
Kasper Schmeichel has missed the last two games, Ibrox and Pittodrie, due to illness. He may well make a return, but is likely to be on the bench if so. It’s highly unlikely Viljami Sinisalo will be dropped. The Dane was in training on Friday, though.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said:
“Kasper trained today.
“First time since the injection.
“First time since he’s better, so we’ll see how he is tomorrow as well too.
“But young goalkeeper has done really fine for us as well too.
“We’ll see, yeah. That’s the nature of the business, you make some big decisions at times, and we’ll see how it is anyway. We’ll see whether it is a decision to make by tomorrow.
“Well, generally speaking, managers are in the habit of speaking to players at some stage or another, either. But yeah, we’ve just had very, very brief chats, but it’s nothing substantial at this moment.”
Predictic XI
GK Viljami Sinisalo
RB Julian Araujo
CB Auston Trusty
CB Liam Scales
LB Marcelo Saracchi
CM Callum McGregor
CM Benjamin Nygren
CM Reo Hatate
RW James Forrest
ST Daizen Maeda
LW Sebastian Tounekti
Final Notes
Martin O’Neill has some big decisions to make. Maeda was substituted on at Pittdorie and missed a big chance, but he may get the nod through the middle ahead of Adamu and Cvancara.
Cvancara didn’t make his mark midweek. In truth, the two loanee strikers have struggled to hit the ground running. Could Maeda start through the middle?
You don’t know whether Kelechi Iheanacho is going to make the squad these days.
James Forrest came off the bench to set up Benjamin Nygren’s winner on Wednesday night. That puts him in the conversation.
Trusty may get the nod to start, although it would be harsh after Arthur’s performance. Would O’Neill throw him in ahead of experience? Many would argue he’s the best option to partner Scales over the USA international.
