It's the big one, as Celtic take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden in the final game of the season.
With Brendan Rodgers’ men already having one trophy in the bag – the Scottish Premiership – they will travel to the national stadium in hope of a domestic double, with Philippe Clement’s Rangers side the only team standing in their way from making that dream a reality.
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In four league meetings between the two sides this campaign, the champions have won three, all by a single goal. The only blot on their Glasgow Derby copybook was that of a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ibrox, a game the visitors should have won on the day. Celtic have managed to get past Buckie Thistle, St Mirren, Livingston and Aberdeen ahead of this game, whilst Rangers defeated Dumbarton, Ayr United, Hibs and Hearts to get to this stage.
With the Scottish Cup up for grabs to the victor, what team will Rodgers elect to start this massive game at Hampden on Saturday afternoon? The Celtic Way’s Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlay each have their say…
Ryan McGinlay
It's a strange feeling being confident heading into a Glasgow Derby, but I cannot shake my optimism concerning this team and their manager.
Of course, these games have a life of their own wherever they're held, but surely Celtic have too much for Rangers to deal with, especially considering the injury worries the Ibrox side have at present. With many of Celtic’s key players – outwith the midfield – having been afforded a game off versus St Mirren, Rodgers will name his strongest line-up possible, as the small matter of a domestic double still looms large on the returning manager and his players.
In goal, Hampden will provide the location for Joe Hart’s final-ever game as a professional footballer, as the veteran goalkeeper will hang up his boots and gloves at the culmination of this fixture. Tears were shed last week, so you would expect more to come at the final whistle, regardless of the end result.
Joining Hart at the back will be Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor at right and left-back respectively, with the former not needed on Trophy Day versus St Mirren. I can’t shake the feeling that Johnston in particular will have a massive say in this match. He is due a goal in this fixture, so do not be surprised if he pops up with a big strike on Saturday afternoon. In the middle of defence, the colossal Cameron Carter-Vickers will be partnered by Liam Scales. Who knows if this will be the pairing at centre-back next season, but it is certain to be the partnership for this cup final. Both need to have a big game to ensure the trophy comes home to Celtic Park’s trophy cabinet.
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In the midfield, it will be the trinity of captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley. This engine room has been sublime over the past month or so, and has gone a long way to securing another league title for Celtic, so they will be trusted to deliver the Scottish Cup, too. This game has been touted as being Matt O’Riley’s ‘Last Dance’, given the numerous links to teams both down south and further afield. In truth, only the skipper is confirmed to be at the club next campaign for sure, given Hatate’s murmurings in the recent past concerning a move away. Both of Celtic’s dynamic midfielders must show up in a big way because if they do, there will only be one winner on Saturday at the national stadium.
The forward areas provide one of the only positions with a potential question mark, as Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah fight it out for a starting spot. Rodgers will elect to go for the former, however, as his seven goals against Rangers will allow him to pull rank over the on-loan attacker. Idah’s impact from the bench could – and should – provide the firepower needed for Celtic to pull away in the second half (if the game is still tight). Daizen Maeda will play on the left to negate James Tavernier and provide a goal threat, whilst James Forrest will provide both good form and experience on the right wing.
A difficult one to call concerning the scoreline, but Celtic to get the job done and deliver a double back to Parkhead on Saturday night - by any means necessary.
Ryan’s team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley; Forrest, Kyogo,
Tony Haggerty
It isn't broken. It most certainly doesn't need fixing.
Celtic go into the Scottish Cup final against Rangers chasing the Scottish Premiership and cup double. Can Brendan Rodgers's men pull it off? The smart money is on yes.
Celtic at this juncture have the better players, have the better manager and they have shown that they are adept at handling pressure situations. As Rodgers stated though you can never be so arrogant as to underestimate your opponent. This is the first Glasgow derby Scottish Cup final in 22 years with lots at stake.
Does Philippe Clement's team have it in them for one last hurrah to send the blue and white hordes into the close season with a crumb of comfort and solace? Can Rodgers' recently crowned champions pile on the agony and put on the style at the national stadium to emerge undefeated - with four wins and a draw - in all five contests against their city rivals this season?
The mood music couldn't be sharply contrasted between the two camps heading into this one. That will all count for nothing when the ball bounces for real at Hampden Park come 3pm on Saturday.
With that in mind, Rodgers doesn't really have any selection headaches for this one. Hart will start between the sticks looking to bring the curtain down on his glittering career. Can the former England No.1 achieve the fairytale ending to his playing days by bowing out a 'double' winner? The back four will have a familiar ring to it with Johnston and Taylor deployed at right and left-back respectively and at the heart of the green and white defence will be the rock that is Carter-Vickers and he will be ably assisted by Scales.
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In the midfield the tried and tested triumvirate of winners will be asked to produce one last time before the campaign is ended. Everything is on the line for Celtic skipper McGregor who has never lost a Hampden showpiece final game in his career. Japanese midfielder Hatate has been showing signs that he is back to his best form and if this is to the swansong of Danish international O'Riley then we should all sit back and enjoy a baller at work. O'Riley scored on his last visit to Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen and netted in the 2-1 win over Rangers at Celtic Park earlier this month. How the 23-year-old would love to repeat the feat in a game of this magnitude. It would also take his goal tally to an incredible 20 goals in all competitions for the campaign.
The only selection decision that Rodgers could potentially face is whether or not to play Kyogo or Idah as the focal point. Idah was outstanding against Kilmarnock the night the title was clinched at Rugby Park but he will have to settle for a place on the Celtic bench for this one as Kyogo will get the no to start. The goalscoring talisman has a remarkable record in cup finals and has bagged five goals on three such occasions. The No. 8 is also chasing his eighth derby goal.
He will be ably assisted by Forrest on the right flank. The evergreen 32-year-old is a bit of a Hampden specialist himself and he can cap off a superb week by claiming his 24th winners medal as well as celebrating his Scotland recall to Steve Clarke's side for the 2024 European Championship finals in Germany this summer. Maeda will be asked to sacrifice himself for the good of the team once again as he sees about nullifying the threat of Tavernier. How Tavernier must hate the sight of the flying Japanese winger who has proved to be his nemesis in the past three seasons.
Celtic to finish the season with aplomb and Rodgers side to emulate the double-winning teams of 1954, 1974, and 2004. Make mine a 'Barney Rubble'.
Tony's team: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Forrest, Kyogo, Maeda
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