Team’s Up – No McGregor or Tierney, Trusty returns, Scales has armband

Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic team to face the Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup quart final this afternoon…Martin O’Neill, Interim Manager of Celtic acknowledges the fans following his team’s draw in the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The Celtic manager comes into this game on the back of a hard-fought fightback last weekend to earn a point in a 2-2 draw at today’s venue.

Benjamin Nygren scores the winner. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

That was followed by a significant win against Aberdeen in Celtic’s game in hand that allowed the Champions to leapfrog the Rangers and close the gap of current leaders Hearts.

🍀 @CelticFC manager Martin O’Neill discusses the loss of ever-present Callum McGregor for today’s game, and the approach to facing Rangers without his skipper

“He’s a big miss for us.” 🗣️#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/KxAfdA9KdZ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 8, 2026

Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney are both injured but Auston Trusty plays – his ban must apply only to league matches – and Dane Murray makes the bench. Oxlade-Chamberlain started last week but is on the bench while Junior Adamu was in the huddle last Sunday but isn’t in the squad today.

Callum McGregor celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Today though is all about winning a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden next month and the Celtic team kicking off to achieve that objective is as follows:

Viljami Sinisalo; Julian Araujo, Benjamin Arthur, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales(c), Luke McCowan, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren; Yang, Daizen Maeda and Sebastian TounektiSubs: Doohan, Donovan, Saracchi, Murray, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bernardo, Cvancara, Mvuka and Forrest.