Celtic’s Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League group G football match between Celtic and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on October 19, 2021. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Celtic will be looking to keep their treble hopes alive while handing a hammer blow to the Rangers, when they take to the Hampden Park field in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday. It is safe to say that this is a huge game for both sides and both have reasons to be confident of their chances of getting the better of the other. Thus, it could turn out to be a very tight contest.
Celtic turned on the style last time around, by getting a 7-0 win over St Johnstone last weekend. On the other hand, the Rangers booked their place in the Europa League semi-final in midweek, by beating a nine-man SC Braga side 3-1 at Ibrox and 3-2 on aggregate.
Celtic’s big problem heading into the game will be the absence of Giorgos Giakoumakis, who has been a key player for them since the turn of the year. The Greek striker suffered an injury in the game against St Johnstone.
Thus, Celtic could end up relying on Kyogo on the day, although it is still unclear whether the Japanese star will be fit enough to start or not. Ange Postecoglou has kept his cards close to his chest leading into the game. If he is not starting, one would expect Daizen Maeda to be the one playing through the middle against the Rangers.
Celtic squad for Scottish Cup semi-final vs Rangers revealed
As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic’s provisional squad for the Scottish Cup semi-final against the Rangers is:
Vasilis Barkas
Joe Hart
Scott Bain
Christopher Jullien
Greg Taylor
Carl Starfelt
Liam Scales
Josip Juranovic
Nir Bitton
Liel Abada
Ismaila Soro
Kyogo Furuhashi
Daizen Maeda
James McCarthy
Jota
Mikey Johnston
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Matt O’Riley
Reo Hatate
Dane Murray
David Turnbull
James Forrest
Anthony Ralston
It is great to see Turnbull back in the mix of things as well, after the Scottish international had also picked up a knock recently and was a doubt ahead of the Scottish Cup semi-final against the Rangers.
Celtic have gotten the better of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side the last two times that they have met, getting a dominant 3-0 win at Parkhead in February followed by a 2-1 win at Ibrox earlier this month. Let’s see if they can taste victory against their Glasgow rivals three times on the trot.
This article was originally posted here