John Kennedy has named his team for this afternoon’s crucial game against Rangers at Ibrox in The Scottish Cup. After disposing of Falkirk in the last round, holders Celtic were drawn to travel across the city to face Steven Gerrard’s side with the winners progressing to face St Johnstone in the Quarter Finals.
Celtic are going for five in a row Scottish Cup wins and Kennedy has decided to make two changes with James Forrest not passing fit to play.
In goals, Scott Bain continues as No.1. He will have been disappointed not to have had a clean sheet in the draw back in March.
Jonjoe Kenny starts at right back of a back four as Kennedy looks to build upon the clean sheet achieved in last weekend’s win over Livi. Stephen Welsh, who signed a new deal this week, starts at centre back with Kris Ajer. The defensive pairing have been the most impressive this season, despite being 21 and 23 respectively. Diego Laxalt starts at left back.
Captain Scott Brown starts at the base of the midfield, the 35-year-old will be looking to leave Celtic after 14 years on a high by adding one more to his haul of 22 trophies. Brown is joined by his heir apparent Callum McGregor in the centre of the midfield. They are joined in the centre of midfield by David Turnbull, one of Celtic’s breakthrough star’s this season.
Ryan Christie is preferred to James Forrest, who limped off in the win over Livingston. Christie looks to be playing wide right. On the left, Moi Elyounoussi starts after two goals and one assist in the 6-0 thumping of the West Lothian side last weekend. He along with all of us, will be hoping he can replicate that form today.
Celtic’s talismanic striker Odsonne Edouard starts up top and he will be hoping to get his first goal against the Ibrox side this season.
On the bench: Barkas, Taylor, Bitton, Rogic, Soro, Griffiths, Montgomery, Ralston, Ajeti.
📋 #ScottishCup team news…
Our #RANCEL starting line-up ✅
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— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 18, 2021
In what has been a bitterly disappointing season for Celtic, the players and management can redeem themselves with a victory today and ending the season with silverware. There is also the added incentive of wrestling back momentum against a side that appear to believe that they are unbeatable. As
