The new era may not really kick-off until the new manager is appointed, but this afternoon’s game could really set the tone going into next year if Celtic can get a win.
The league is already over so the Scottish Cup is the only thing that either side have to play for, so winning that and ending then ending the unbeaten streak in the league in a couple of weeks would be huge.
There’s been plenty of talk this week about who is the better side and that’s all fine, but it’s now time to back it up on the pitch.
There has been an undoubted improvement in the team since James Forrest returned from injury, but he hasn’t managed to make the squad at all today:
📋 #ScottishCup team news…
Our #RANCEL starting line-up ✅
𝑪𝑶𝒀𝑩𝑰𝑮 🍀🟢 pic.twitter.com/iXZFR5orqF
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 18, 2021
Most of the team does pick itself at this point although there has been rotation between Taylor and Laxalt. The Uruguayan was one of the best players in the last game between these two teams, so hopefully he’s able to cause as many problems as he did last time out
The main talking point from the fans has been the absence of Forrest, and it’s clearly seen as a huge blow:
No Forrest available is just typical of our season isn’t it ! But saying that we are more than capable of winning today so COYBIG 🍀
— celticghirl1888 (@celticghirl0106) April 18, 2021
No Forrest, life is pain
— Zaktion Bronson (@monchensaderzak) April 18, 2021
No Forrest is a MASSIVE kick in the teeth https://t.co/jqCtIHnP21
— shannon 🍀 (@Shannonxmcauley) April 18, 2021
Bench worries me.. no Forrest is a big blow.
— George Zenderson 🧎🏻 (@runfatbhoyrun) April 18, 2021
Forrest out ……. nawwwwwww😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😤😤😤😤😤
— Ellenb1888 (@ellenb1888) April 18, 2021
The loss of Forrest is a huge blow. I’m also not convinced Laxalt should be starting. https://t.co/rtreXqvWQN
— Cãl (@caImcIe) April 18, 2021
No harm to u but Celtic were absolutely crap today, they could have scored 4/5 goals including a penalty. This has to be one of the worst performances of a Celtic team I’ve seen in a long time – their penalty miss was shocking, he took it as if he didn’t even want to although in fairness their goalie dived about b4 Mr. Odsonne had even taken it – if it had have been in the Premier League the penalty would have been retaken, were they were playing as if it was a friendly.
Roll on the summer when hopefully there’ll be a change in the management & they’ll get about 5/6 new players in including a new manager (hopefully it’ll be Eddie Howe.