Celtic will look to progress to the final of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final as they make the short journey to Hampden Park to face Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 5.30pm).
Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the fixture on the back of a routine midweek win over Dundee, where a strike from Alistair Johnston and an Arne Engels penalty kept them top of the Scottish Premiership ahead of their weekend opponents on goal difference.
As for Aberdeen, they head to Glasgow boosted by a monumental win over Rangers. Goals from Nicky Devlin and Shayden Morris handed Jimmy Thelin’s side a deserved 2-1 victory, which leaves both Celtic and Aberdeen nine points clear of Philippe Clement’s Gers outfit and unbeaten domestically.
However, attention will turn to the League Cup this weekend and, with both sides unbeaten domestically, something has to give at Hampden Park.
Celtic could have a full strength squad to choose from, with Rodgers confirming injured trio Nicolas Kuhn, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah are all “fine” for the game, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor made a successful return from injury in the Celts midweek win over Dundee.
The Celtic head coach has plenty of options to choose from, so how will the Celtic team look against Aberdeen on Saturday evening?
The Scotsman predict the Celtic starting XI for their Premier Sports Cup clash at Hampden, using live photos from today’s training session.
9. RW: Nicolas Kuhn
The pacey German winger missed the midweek win over Dundee with a small knock, but has been passed fit to play this weekend and will come straight back into the starting XI. | SNS Group
10. LW: Daizen Maeda
A man who relishes the big games for Celtic, he is pivotal to their high-press and starts whenever he is fit, based on current form. | SNS Group
11. CF: Kyogo Furuhashi
Wasn't able to rest on Wednesday night with Adam Idah ruled out through injury. Like his countryman Daizen Maeda, Kyogo just loves the big occasion - so he starts up top for Celtic on Saturday. | SNS Group