Simon Donnelly believes Celtic fans can expect plenty of rotation over the final three league games of the season, as Brendan Rodgers prioritises freshness ahead of the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen.
With the Premiership title already secured and the Treble firmly in sight, Rodgers has the luxury of managing minutes and giving fringe players a chance to stake their claim. Donnelly, speaking ahead of matches against Hibs, Aberdeen, and St Mirren, sees this run-in as the ideal window to experiment and rest key figures.
“I do think there will be a lot of changes over the three games because the cup final is the most important,” said Donnelly on Clyde SSB. “Guys like Paulo Bernardo, who hasn’t had a lot of game time, just give them some more minutes in the legs and create some competition heading into the Cup Final.”
Celtic are already being cautious with the fitness of key defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, with both expected to be held back until Hampden. Rodgers may take the same approach with other mainstays who have logged heavy minutes across a season that’s included a gruelling Champions League group and no winter break.
That opens the door for fringe and youth players to feature. Young midfielder Jude Bonnar, who made his debut earlier in the campaign, may get another taste of first-team football. Seventeen-year-old Sean McArdle, who made the bench for Sunday’s derby at Ibrox, is also one to watch.
With the final against Aberdeen just around the corner, maintaining rhythm while protecting legs is a balancing act Rodgers will need to manage carefully. But these closing fixtures offer a chance to fine-tune selection and fitness for one last push at history.
