Strongest Celtic XI To Face St. Mirren
The Scottish Premiership takes a break this weekend as the Scottish Cup Quarter-final gets underway with Celtic playing host to Championship side St. Mirren on Sunday.
The Bhoys are seeking a domestic treble having won the League Cup late last year and are now set to be crowned Premiership champions.
The Hoops secured a berth in the last-8 following a 6-0 demolition of Inverness last month, and are expected to make light work of any challenge the side at the bottom of the Scottish Championship table will pose having strolled to 33 domestic games without defeat.
St Mirren did spring up a surprise in their last game on Wednesday night, handing Championship table toppers Hibernian a 2-0 defeat. So it is expected that Brendan Rodgers will name a strong side on Sunday as Celtic eye a semifinal spot.
Celtic predicted line-up to face St. Mirren
Formation : 4-2-3-1
GK – Gordon
Was in goal for the last round of the Cup against Inverness but had almost nothing to do and can relish having such opportunity against a weaker opponent on paper come Sunday.
RB – Lustig
The Swede remains in contention for a starting berth in the lineup with Gamboa, and either of the 2 will be making Brendan Rodgers’ list.
CB – Simunovic
Has been in and out of the starting XI due to stiff competition from Sviatchenko but could be making his first Cup appearance on Sunday having made just 4 league appearances this term.
CB – Boyata
The Belgian centre-back played a huge role in limiting Inverness to any chances whatsoever in the 5th round and can be expected to do the same in his 10th appearance of the season.
LB – Izaguirre
Having sat out of action since Tierney returned to full fitness at the beginning of this year, a fixture against a significantly weak opponent might afford him a chance to play in what could be one of his last games for Celtic.
CM – Brown
The skipper can be expected to provide his usual leadership and defensive services from deep midfield as Celtic attempt to limit goalscoring chances for the visitors before they even create one.
CM – Bitton
Might just have successfully established one of the best partnerships ever with Brown in what has been one of the club’s most successful domestic campaigns, and both are tipped for greater things together.
AML – Sinclair
The winger played in the last round and could neither assist nor score in the goal fest. But that can be expected of him when the Championship relegation candidates visit.
AMC – Armstrong
He’s yet to play in the Scottish Cup this season largely due to fitness issues but should make his first appearance on Sunday.
AMR – McGregor
With Forrest out of contention, the Scottish youngster looks like a sure starter for Sunday’s clash. But with Patrick Roberts also returning to action, he could have some competition to face.
CF – Dembele
Has 3 goals in just one appearance in the Cup, and can continue his recent free-scoring form against a much more weaker opponent on Sunday.