Celtic Predicted XI vs Rangers in Scottish Cup final

We can expect to see changes to the starting XI for Celtic in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park against the Rangers. Brendan Rodgers has a full squad available to select from so we can expect a strong side and plenty of options on the bench too. The Northern Irishman is very likely to make changes to the lineup from the Hoops’ last match, at home against St Mirren, which did not have any real consequences attached to its result.

Rodgers did bring in a few players for the final match of the league season. He is likely to switch things around again as the Hoops aim to pick up their second trophy of the season. So what can we expect as the starting lineup for Saturday?

In defence, it is a pretty obvious selection with Joe Hart making his final appearance between the posts. Whatever the outcome, it will be another emotional day for the Englishman at Hampden Park. In front of him, we should see the usual combination of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor. Right now that’s the club’s best defensive setup. 

In midfield, you can’t see beyond the trio of captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley. The captain has reclaimed his true form after an injury break. The Japanese international is gradually returning to his best as well and then there is the Dane, who is picking up multiple end-of-season awards, scoring goals and providing assists week after week. Hopefully, that will continue against the Rangers at the weekend.

That leaves the forward line with a main striker and two wingers as the likely formation. Rodgers made a great move by bringing Adam Idah in from the start against Kilmarnock recently. The Irishman was immense in helping secure a 5-0 title-clinching win.

If Idah is on the pitch again on Saturday, it’s more likely as a substitute. We should expect Kyogo Furuhashi to start up front. Numerous times in the past, he has proven to be a nightmare for the Rangers.

Alongside Kyogo, Daizen Maeda will surely be on the left. He is remarkably available after an injury initially seemed to rule him out for the rest of the season. The Japanese international will surely be using his pace and pressure with the aim of continuing to bring errors out of the Rangers’ backline.

On the right flank, James Forrest has been superb in recent games. He was very impressive against the Rangers a couple of weeks ago and will likely be given the chance to repeat that again.

With Idah on the bench, midfield options like Tomoki Iwata and Paulo Bernardo and the trickery of Luis Palma, Nicolas Kuhn and Yang Hyun-jun on the flanks, there will be plenty of strength in reserve. Hopefully enough to overcome the Rangers again and pick up the Scottish Cup. Let’s hope the Bhoys bring their A-game to Hampden Park and Glasgow remains green and white for another weekend.

Predicted Celtic XI: Joe Hart; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor; Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate; James Forrest, Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda.