Celtic are heading into arguably their biggest fixture of the entire season on Sunday. Yes there have been giant European games with lots at stake for the club, but this weekend they face their greatest rivals for a chance to secure a huge domestic treble in May.
What was a hope at the start of the season has become an expectation within the Celtic support, and if the team fail to sweep all three of the domestic honours now, it’d feel like a failure even though the season has been a hugely successful one.
Losing out on a place in the Scottish Cup Final to Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers would be humiliating for fans that have lorded it over the Gers this season, given they are so far ahead in the league.
It’s vitally important Brendan Rodgers gets his team selection right, there’s no room for mistakes when the Light Blues are so motivated to become the first team in Scotland to defeat the Hoops this season.
Who should play? Who should miss out?
Here are THREE stars that started in the last match that should be considered for the chop on Sunday…
Erik Sviatchenko
Once one of the most reliable members of the entire Celtic squad, Erik Sviatchenko has regressed as a Hoops player this season and it all seemed to stem from playing Rangers on New Year’s Eve. The Danish defender was all over the place in that one, especially in the first half an hour when he was badly exposed by wave after wave of Gers attack.
He’s been shaky often since, even last week against Ross County when his passing was poor and he got caught underneath the ball to allow Michael Gardyne to score a fine header.
Slotting in Dedryck Boyata may bring in more stability to a backline that is likely to be under pressure for spells throughout the 90 minutes. There’s even the possibility of moving Mikael Lustig inside and starting Cristian Gamboa.
What’s clear, though, is that starting Sviatchenko is a risk. He may well perform well, but given his form over the last few months, there’s every chance he could have a horror show.
Callum McGregor
Callum McGregor has done little wrong in a Celtic shirt this season but he has one big problem, the Hoops are incredibly strong in the middle of the park right now.
There are three players ahead of him in the pecking order: Stuart Armstrong, Tom Rogic and Scott Brown. We don’t see much scope for him starting unless Rodgers utilises him in a more attacking, wide role.
Rogic may not last the entire 90 minutes due to his lack of fitness after a long spell on the sidelines through injury and McGregor would be a fine option off the bench around the hour mark to expose any tired legs.
From the start, though, Rogic could be key, he has the ruthlessness to find a goal from almost any situation and possesses the magic to unlock the Gers defence.
Armstrong is almost undroppable right now and as for Scott Brown, he’s the leader the Hoops will need to guide them through what will be a dramatic and fiery encounter.
James Forrest
James Forrest has had arguably his best season in a Celtic shirt, performing more consistently that he has before. He looked to be on the verge of a Hoops exit last season when he failed to show much at all under Ronny Deila. His contract was expiring too. However, the arrival of Brendan Rodgers breathed new life into his Celtic career and he quickly signed up for more years in a Hoops shirt.
Despite his good form, Patrick Roberts is still the most dangerous option Celtic have on the right-hand side. He has more assists and almost as many goals as Forrest this season despite starting significantly fewer games.
He’s heading back to Manchester City in the summer and will be motivated to shine in a high profile game before his return to the Premier League. Is Sunday his time to shine?
