Brendan Rodgers returns to Hampden today looking to extend his 100% winning record in Scottish Cup matches in general and also his perfect record as the Celtic manager at the national stadium. Having beaten Buckie Thistle and Livingston so far in this campaign things get tougher today against an Aberdeen side which has had to endure a difficult season but has enough quality to make it an uncomfortable day for the Hoops of we don’t bring our ‘A’ game.
By that I mean more like the second half performance last weekend and not like the way we played in the first 45 minutes against St Mirren.
But this is a Scottish Cup semi-final and the first visit of the season for the Hoops after our early cup exit in the League Cup back in August last year at Kilmarnock. For some of the players it will also be the first time playing at Hampden.
Aberdeen have only their hardcore support today, given the season they have had the fair weather fans are watching it on television. So Celtic will have a huge support in a packed Hampden and the atmosphere will be special.
Last weekend when one up at Dingwall theRangers fans were chanting… “(sweary word) Celtic we’re gonna win the league.” To cut out the bad language and because it seems appropriate it would be nice to hear the Celtic support singing…
“THANK YOU RANGERS WE’RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE, WE’RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE”…
Team News
Photo by Kirk O Rourke/Shutterstock – Liam Scales during the match at Ibrox on 03 Sep 2023
Daizen Maeda remains sidelined but Liam Scales returns to the squad after missing out last weekend. Brendan Rodgers has a dilemma at outside left with Yang failing to impress last weekend. James Forrest is an option but the manager is more likely to start Luis Palma and maybe give the Honduran an hour.
Luis Palma celebrates during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on December 06, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The captain Callum McGregor must be close to returning to the starting line-up but caution could prevail and given the excellent job that Tomoki Iwata has done in recent weeks, Brendan will have no hesitation in giving the Japanese holding midfielder the nod.
Predicted Team
Celtic v St Mirren – Adam Idah celebrates scoring during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday April 13, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow
Joe Hart will of course have the gloves and with Liam Scales returning I expect him to play alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre of the Celtic defence. Alistair Johnston, who was excellent last weekend will be at right-back and Greg Taylor on the left side of the Celtic defence.
A midfield three of Tomoki, Hatate and O’Riley will have Kuhn, Kyogo and Luis Palma ahead of them.
Predicted Celtic Team…Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Tomoki, Hatate, O’Riley; Kuhn, Kyogo and Palma
Match Officials
Don Robertson after he awards that penalty to Heart during the cinch Premiership match at Tynecastle Park, Saturday March 2, 2024. Photo AndrewMilligan
Don Robertson will have the whistle and Graeme Stewart and Steven Traynor will run the lines at Hampden today. The Fourth official will be David Dickinson, and Greg Aitken is on VAR, assisted by Andrew McWilliam.
Kick-off Time
The Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Aberdeen kicks off at 12.30pm
Where to Watch
The semi-final is live on BBC Scotland and also the subscription channel. You can also watch on Celtic TV as usual if you are a subscriber living outside of Britain or Ireland.
Predicted Score
Last weekend we told you that celtic would score three goals and Hatate, Kyogo and Idah would all hit the back of the net. Three for the Celts today with Aberdeen getting one.
