Team’s Up – Brendan goes with strongest line-up as Daizen leads the line | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers has selected his strongest possible side for this afternoon’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hibs at Celtic Park, in what promises to be an enthralling game of knock-out football.

Jeffrey Schlupp celebrates. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The prize of course is a trip to Hampden Park next month for the semi-final and ultimately the chance to win the final and lift the trophy. Hibs have managed that only once in all our lifetimes, beating theRangers in the 2016 final before things turned ugly with a pitch invasion from the jubilant Hibees being met by rage and anger by the raging losers’ support. In the Scottish Cup this year they will play no further part after losing to Queen’s Park last month.

They did make it to the final last year but Adam Idah’s goal in the 90th minute meant that they were losers again and Celtic did of course beat Inverness in the 2023 final so it will be three in a row for the Hoops if the cup can be won this season.

Arne Engels scores. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Today’s team sees Kasper Schmeichel in goals with a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Jeffrey Schlupp. in the middle of the park Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain is joined by record signing Arne Engels and Japan international maverick Reo Hatate. The front three are Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Jota.

On the bench for Celtic this afternoon are Sinisalo, Taylor, Idaho, Yang, McCowan, Kenny, Murray and Ralston.

Kick-off is at 3pm, enjoy the match and COYBIG!