Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has named his Hoops starting 11 to face the Rangers in the final of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden this afternoon.
Celtic go into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
The Hoops are unbeaten in 15 games across all competitions, though performances have dipped recently despite positive results.
Rodgers will be hopeful that Celtic can deliver a dominant display at the national stadium against Philippe Clement’s side.
Going into the game, Rodgers has a fully fit squad to choose from, with Luke McCowan cup-tied due to having featured for Dundee earlier in the competition before joining the Hoops on transfer deadline day.
There had been doubts over whether Alistair Johnston would make the game after being substituted at halftime against Zagreb in midweek with a hip flexor knock.
However, Rodgers eased fears during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
📋 Our #PremierSportsCup final team news from Hampden 🟩⬜
#CELRAN | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/CPC9KPkPE5— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 15, 2024
Kasper Schmeichel starts in goal, having truly risen to the occasion over the past month.
His performances have been particularly impressive since joining in the summer, and he has proven that he hasn’t lost any of his quality that same him win the English Premier League with Leicester City.
Alistair Johnston starts at right-back alongside the formidable pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, who have formed a strong partnership at the heart of the defence over the past month, with Greg Taylor completing the back four.
Captain Callum McGregor starts at the base of the midfield, a role in which he often thrives, having scored in Celtic’s last 3-0 win over the Rangers at Celtic Park.
Paulo Bernardo partners McGregor in midfield, with the Portuguese midfielder being a real positive in recent games amidst lackluster displays from the rest of the team.
Reo Hatate completes the midfield and has been his usual unpredictable self, scoring a match-winner against Aberdeen at Pittodrie recently.
He was substituted in the second half against Zagreb on Tuesday, and his form has been up and down.
However, he is surely due for a match-winning performance this afternoon, with Rodgers favoring him over Arne Engels.
Nicolas Kuhn starts on the right and has been a standout for the majority of the season, although, like some of the team, his performances haven’t quite been at their best recently.
He will, however, hope to bounce back against the Rangers.
Daizen Maeda starts on the left this afternoon, with Maeda thriving in this fixture as much as any player in recent memory.
His pressing, goals, and creativity have made him a real difference-maker in Glasgow derbies over the last couple of years.
Kyogo Furuhashi completes the starting 11, and like Maeda, he has greatly enjoyed this fixture in recent years.
He will look to add yet another goal against the Rangers this afternoon.
Today’s game is live on Premier Sports 1, with kickoff at 3:30pm.
