Celtic face Kilmarnock this evening in the League Cup Semi-Final at Hampden. The holders have been victorious on the road against Ross County and Motherwell but face the Ayrshire team for the second time in seven days as they look to book themselves in for the February 26th Final against theRangers or Aberdeen.
Team News
Celtic go into the game with a few absentees. Greg Taylor, Sead Hakšabanović, Stephen Welsh, James McCarthy and Tony Ralston have all been out recently but the game comes too soon for them in their rehabilitation from injury. All bar Taylor are now fit and back at training but today comes too soon for these players.
Giorgos Giakoumakis may not be involved as reports suggest that the Greek striker may have played his final game for the Scottish Champions. Another name linked with a move away this month is Josip Juranovic, the Croatian will likely remain on the bench today, as everyone awaits transfer developments.
In goals, the manager needs to decide whether to go with No.1 Joe Hart or Cup deputy Benjamnin Siegrist, the issue with that is that the Swiss keeper hasn’t been in the squad for the last two games.
In defence, it is likely that the same back four that started last weekend will start – Alexandro Bernabei at left-back, Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers at centre back and Ally Johnston at right-back.
In midfield, the manager must again decide on who to start with Callum McGregor, you would expect Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley to start but Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull will be pushing to get themselves into the starting XI.
In attack, Kyogo will start through the middle, Jota on the right and Maeda on the left, although Liel Abada is worthy of consideration. James Forrest could make an impact from the bench as happened in the semi-final last season against St Johnstone where he came on to score the winner.
Predicted Team
It’s always a challenge trying to second guess Ange Postecoglou on his team selections and we’re always rather pleased with ourselves when we get it spot on – not that it happens too often. Here goes for today…
Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Bernabei, McGregor (c), Hatate, O’Riley, Maeda, Kyogo and Jota.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick off at 17:30 (Celtic Park time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on Viaplay Sports 1 from 17:00 (formerly Premier Sports) along with Celtic TV for supporters outside Britain and Ireland.
Match Officials
Willie Collum has the whistle at Hampden, he will be assisted by Dougie Potter and Gordon Crawford with Grant Irvine operating as Fourth Official. The ludge-VAR officials are Kilmarnock man Greg Aitken (don’t worry he supports theRangers), who is assisted by John McCrossan. What could possibly go wrong?
Team’s Up
Team news will likely be available after 4pm, which we will bring you as soon as we have it on our Team’s Up post. Last weekend Clarissa Larisey was missing from the Celtic FC Women team sheet to play Falkirk in the Scottish Cup and that confirmed the story broken by The Celtic Star that the Canada international striker was on the verge of a transfer to Swedish side Hacken. If Gorgios Giakoumakis is NOT listed in the team tor as a substitute today then it’s almost certainly an indication that the transfer to Japan is going ahead and that he has played his last game for the club.
Like in the case of Clarissa Larisey, we will wish him well for his new adventure.
COYBIG
