Celtic changes expected for Firhill, for me JSP and Yamada should be at the forefront of the managers thoughts…
Partick Thistle v Celtic, Firhill May 2017 as the Celtic support pays tribute to the Lisbon Lions. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
Today Celtic make the short trip to Firhill to take on Partick Thistle with a place in the Premier Sports League cup semi finals up for grabs, and with it being the start of a run of crucial games both domestically and in the Europa League, Brendan Rodgers will undoubtedly be looking at making a few changes to his starting XI.
With all due respect to Mark Wilson’s side, it’s a game Celtic should be winning regardless of who starts as we have the depth, and more importantly more than enough quality to take care of the fourth placed Championship side on their own patch.
Partick Thistle v Celtic, Firhill May 2017 as the Celtic support pays tribute to the Lisbon Lions. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
I’d expect to see guys such as Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter Vickers, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, and Callum McGregor rested with Wednesday’s Europa League trip to Belgrade and Saturday’s home clash with Hibs in mind. And this could open the door for a couple of players who are currently looked upon as nothing more than fringe players.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Salford City at Etihad Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Manchester. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Two such players I reckon deserve that chance, both of whom fall into that category are Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Shin Yamada. With both players having already been left out of the Europa league squad, today is the perfect opportunity to give them the chance to impress and prove that they have the ability to succeed in this Celtic side.
Partick Thistle v Celtic, Firhill May 2017 as the Celtic support pays tribute to the Lisbon Lions. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
Brendan on Friday spoke of how JSP is still adapting to life at Celtic, and quite rightly has to earn his place in the Celtic side, and what better chance to let him prove that than today? He has after all played in the Champions League, so I doubt an appearance at Firhill will spook him too much!
Shin Yamada of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
The same can be said of Shin Yamada who has shown his talent in fleeting moments since his summer arrival. Both in my opinion, should be considered as starters this afternoon in what should be a highly entertaining cup-tie with a great atmosphere after Partick Thistle took the unusually clever and correct decision to increase their revenue by filling all seats and as a result just over 5000 Celtic supporters will be at the match.
Partick Thistle v Celtic, Firhill May 2017 as the Celtic support pays tribute to the Lisbon Lions. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
There’s going to be a pre-match protest too and full details from the newly formed Celtic Fans Collective are show below.
Enjoy the game whether you’re going along or watch on Premier Sports or indeed Celtic TV if you are outside of Britain and Ireland.
Daizen Maeda with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay
With St Mirren, Motherwell and theRangers already through to the semi-finals it’s imperative that Celtic win today and have our name in the hat for the draw which will take place at Firhill after today’s match which must be decided on the day so if the scores are level at 90 minutes plus stoppage time we go to extra time and penalties.
After Aberdeen and Kairat that’s a trauma Celtic would do well to avoid!
Partick Thistle v Celtic, Firhill May 2017 as the Celtic support pays tribute to the Lisbon Lions. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
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