The manager rang the changes against Lille in the final Europa League group stage match earlier this month, and the likes of David Turnbull, Conor Hazard and Ismaila Soro gave the boss food for thought, as did Kristoffer Ajer’s move to the right-side of defence.
Indeed, the incoming trio and the defender retained their places and helped the Hoops to a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock last weekend – but what will the manager do for Sunday’s Hampden showpiece? Will he return to the tried and trusted figures like Scott Brown and Ryan Christie with a quadruple treble on the line? Or stick with the new and improved line-up?
The Scotsman’s Celtic writer Andrew Smith ran the rule over the squad, and named the Celtic XI he expects Neil Lennon to field for the all-important and historic match.
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1. GK - Conor Hazard
A Scottish Cup final is a monster game for only a third Celtic appearance but the young keeper gets the nod because he is free of the struggles experienced by senior rivals Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain in recent months. Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
2. LB - Diego Laxalt
Has shown a little more positional discipline to wed to his impressive aggression in playing as a more orthodox left-back after Neil Lennon reverted to a flat back four. Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
3. RB - Kris Ajer
The towering Norwegian has been immense since moving across from central defence to right-back for Celtic’s restorative wins of late so is sure to continue in the role. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
4. CB - Christopher Jullien
The club’s best defender, the Frenchman has provided much needed leadership in that department in the team’s brief renassaince, and appeared to nurse better from Duffy. Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group