Predicted Celtic Team for today’s Cup Final at Hampden

Wilfried Nancy made some changes for last weekend’s top of the table clash with Hearts at Celtic Park and despite the defeat the Frenchman went with the same starting XI against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Now though the new Celtic manager is set to shake things up today, hopefully learning from what he’s witnessed with his own eyes as Celtic lost both his opening games.

Starting with the goalkeeper Will Kasper Schmeichel keep the gloves or will Sinisalo get his first chance under the new manager? Probably the former but Nancy must have given the choice some consideration over the past few days.

Now for the back three where three lefties hardly created balance so maybe Anthony Ralston will get his first start under the new regime. Or possibly not. Trusty, Scales and Tierney are likely to get the nod, with Colby Donovan being deployed as a right sided wingback.

Callum McGregor obviously is the captain and leader on the park. He starts and so does Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, with Hatate pushing further forward from the Roma game.

Daizen Maeda
3rd December 2025 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership, Celtic versus Dundee. Daizen Maeda of Celtic goes past Finlay Robertson of Dundee. Photo IMAGO – David Young

That leaves Daizen Maeda as the left wing back and of course Kelechi Iheanacho through the middle.

There’s an argument for Luke McCowan instead of Donovan but with that left sided imbalance at the back Donovan, or possibly Ralston should get the nod.

St Mirren pose a significant threat from set pieces and will be confident that they can limit Celtic’s goalscoring opportunities.

Referee Kevin Clancy
Referee Kevin Clancy. St Mirren v Celtic, 23 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Kevin Clancy had the whistle today. Celtic will have the backing of around 35,000 supporters and we must be heard from start to finish to help get this cup won and the Wilfried Nancy era up and running after two false starts.

So I reckon the team will be Schmeichel; Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Bernardo, Engels, Hatate; Iheanacho and Maeda. (3-4-3).

Let’s do it Bhoys!

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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  1. David Campbell on

    Embarrassing yet again today.If it ain’t broke,etc.Only Celtic would allow MON to leave,and introduce turmoil before arguably the three most pivotal games of the season. Nancy will never work.We need to get rid of him,along with Trusty,Scales,Dalston,Hatate,Maida,Angels,Bernard,and all the other ordinary Bhoys.Dreadful,but entirely foreseen,hitting of rock bottom today.Spell-corrected wrongly,sorry! Nancy must go!