Celtic Team Views: Jota’s on the wing, Hakšabanović on bench alongside Hatate and Abada

Let’s hope our injured trio are fit for treble tilt, even if it’s only a place on the bench against theRangers…

According to Ange, injured trio Liel Abada, Jota and Reo Hatate have all resumed training as they face a race against time to be fit for the semi-final showdown at Hampden against theRangers on Sunday.

All three have of course been absent through injury the past few weeks and are being put through their paces under the watchful eye of Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff.

Ange has said if their fitness is up to the required standard they will be in the squad, and fingers crossed that is the case. My gut feeling tells me they will be fit, but only one will be in the staring XI, and that man will be Jota.

As good as Reo Hatate has been, he’s missed a lot of football the past month or so and throwing him in to a game as Intense as this is too much of a risk. In the case of Liel Abada he too has missed a few games and it would be just as sensible to leave him out the starting XI.

Of course two players of their calibre should be in contention for a starting place for a game as big as Sunday’s and if fully fit would be worthy of a start, more so in Reo’s case, but we need a first XI who are up to speed and are one hundred percent match fit.

Celtic v St Mirren – Reo Hatate right celebrates scoring the third goal of the game with team-mate Liel Abada during the Scottish Cup fifth round match at Celtic Park, Saturday February 11, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

Jota of course has missed a couple of games but not as many Reo or Liel. Jota was a thorn in the side of theRangers a few weeks ago and if fit, for me he has to start. Sead Hakšabanović has of course done his best in superstar the Portugal’s absence, but in my opinion he’s performed below the required standard, and he’s not at the moment near the same standard as Jota.

Hakšabanović is a great impact player so he’ll most likely be on the Bench along with Reo Hatate and Liel Abada, giving our bench a stronger look than in recent weeks.

So although it will be a blow not to have them starting, it’s will be good to have them to call upon if needed. Our options from the bench will be a lot stronger and that can only be a good thing.

The likely Celtic line-up on Sunday looks like this…