O’Neill will draft his big hitters back into his team as Record Sport predicts how the Hoops will line up on Sunday
Celtic duo Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh(Image: SNS Group)
The Celtic team that faced St Johnstone on Wednesday probably gave more than a few fans heart palpitations.
No Cameron Carter-Vickers. Viljami Sinisalo dumped to the bench. Benjamin Nygren and Camilo Duran rested. Dane Murray thrown in for a rare start.
Yet the makeshift Hoops line-up still got the job done.
And in the process, a few players may have given Martin O’Neill a selection headache ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup showdown at Ibrox.
Let’s start between the sticks. Finland international Sinisalo has been a steady pair of hands since replacing retired Kasper Schmeichel last season.
The 24-year-old hasn’t been responsible for any major blunders and has generally provided a reliable presence behind the Parkhead backline.
But after waiting almost two years for his chance to become No.1, Sinisalo could now find himself playing second fiddle to new recruit Sam Johnstone.
The ex-England international was handed the gloves at McDiarmid Park and produced a commanding debut, pulling off a superb point-blank save to preserve his clean sheet.
Viljami Sinisalo and Sam Johnstone
At 33, the on-loan Wolves keeper also brings a wealth of Premier League experience – and could now be in line for a baptism of fire at Ibrox.
In front of him, Carter-Vickers should return after being handed a rare night off.
The USA international has been imperious during his five years in Glasgow and remains arguably the best centre-back in Scotland.
Kieran Tierney made his injury comeback from the bench in Perth and should slot straight back in at left-back, with Liam Scales moving across to partner Carter-Vickers. That would leave Auston Trusty and Murray dropping out.
Derby veteran Callum McGregor will look to dictate the tempo in midfield alongside German playmaker Mika Baur, who O’Neill confirmed will be available despite missing Friday’s training session with a slight knock.
Oliver Sorensen flattered to deceive on his first start against Saints and will make way for Benjamin Nygren in the attacking midfield role.
And then there is the big call up front. Celts have the firepower to cause Rangers all sorts of problems, with record signing Kasper Hogh likely to lead the line.
The £11million hitman has drawn a blank in five of his six games for the club, but his overall contribution has undoubtedly lifted the team around him.
Hogh’s tireless running stretches defences, while his ability to hold the ball up, play first-time passes and then peel away from his marker gives Celtic a genuine focal point.
Celtic’s Haissem Hassan in action
But where does that leave Camilo Duran?
O’Neill described the Colombian maverick as his “main man” earlier this week and there’s little doubt his best position is through the middle.
He has also sparkled on the right flank, but with Haissem Hassan seemingly nailed on to start there, Duran could be deployed on the opposite wing.
Whether that gets the best out of him remains to be seen.
The left-footed sensation loves cutting inside onto his stronger foot and letting fly, but switching to the left would mean doing so onto his weaker right peg.
Even so, the prospect of O’Neill unleashing his new-look £26m strikeforce on Rangers will give the Hoops plenty of belief they can survive enemy territory – and book their place in next month’s Hampden semi-final.
Predicted Celtic XI
Predicted Celtic XI vs Rangers
Predicted Celtic XI: Johnstone; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Baur, McGregor, Nygren; Hassan, Hogh, Duran.