The Hoops’ quest for silverware could hinge on Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash at Ibrox and Martin O’Neill has a few dilemmas

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill salutes the away crowd at Ibrox(Image: PA)

Celtic rock up to Ibrox for the second weekend on the trot and despite staging a remarkable fightback last Sunday, you just don’t know what to expect from the Jekyll and Hyde champions.

Fans who have witnessed the Hoops rack up trophies for fun over the last 15 years might well argue it’s the weakest squad they’ve seen in a generation.

Privately, Martin O’Neill might agree. Had it not been for the returning Messiah, there’s a high chance that the Parkhead club’s season would be all but over after cleaning up the trail of destruction left behind by flop boss Wilfried Nancy and Dr Do Little Paul Tisdale.

With table-topping Hearts boasting a five-point lead heading into the final nine league games, Celtic still have an uphill task to somehow knock the league leaders off top spot come May – with Rangers and Motherwell also firmly in the mix.

On Sunday, though, the focus shifts to the Scottish Cup. A trophyless campaign would be unthinkable for Celtic given their dominance over the last couple of decades. And if they can emerge with the bragging rights at Ibrox, they’d potentially move within just two games of wrestling back the Scottish Cup.

Veteran gaffer O’Neill confessed last week that he might’ve got his team selection wrong after Gers blew Celtic away with an all-action first-half display. But the wild old fox outsmarted outspoken rival Danny Rohl after the break with a raft of tactical tweaks that swung the pendulum in his side’s favour.

Celts can’t afford to give Rangers another two-goal start and here, Record Sport examines six ploys that could book Celtic’s place in next month’s Hampden semi-final.

Stick with Sinisalo

Let’s start in chronological order. With Kasper Schmeichel back in contention, O’Neill – at least on paper – has a selection conundrum. But on the evidence of Viljami Sinisalo’s last three showings, the Finland international deserves to keep the gloves for the foreseeable. The 24-year-old pulled off a stunning stop to deny Kevin Nisbet’s header thundering into the back of the net on Wednesday – helping Celts to a crucial three points at Pittodrie. Yes, his distribution was wayward at times, and despite taking no risks at Ibrox and Stuttgart, the keeper fell into the trap that’s cost Schmeichel this season. Sinisalo also put his teammates under pressure with some unnecessary hospital balls deep inside Celtic’s half. However, considering the intense and ferocious cauldron that awaits him on Sunday, Sinisalo might well be under strict orders to lump the ball forward when the short pass isn’t on. Either way, the ex-Aston Villa shotstopper should keep his place in between the sticks, with Schmeichel now facing a battle to regain his No1 jersey after an error-prone campaign.

Don’t risk KT

If you were to believe the social media rumour mill, then you’d have thought that Kieran Tierney had suffered a broken foot after a horrific stamp by Toyosi Olusanya left the defender wriggling in pain. Martin O’Neill confirmed yesterday that scans showed there was no severe damage and the left-back would face a late fitness test to make Sunday’s Ibrox showdown. Contrary to the narrative that’s been set around the former Arsenal star this season, Tierney has arguably been the Hoops’ best player over the last few months.

Kieran Tierney is nursing a foot injury

He’s regularly lasted the full 90 after gradually building up his match fitness and has been involved in a whopping 16 goal contributions. O’Neill described the Scotland hero’s performances as “colossal” since he returned to the hotseat. And while he’d be a huge miss for Sunday’s winner-takes-all clash, Celtic can’t risk Tierney sustaining a nastier injury setback that could rule him out for the vital title run-in. Marcelo Saracchi has proven time and again that he’s a more than able deputy, and the Uruguayan needs no introduction to a heated derby having already starred in the Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Trusty your instinct

Auston Trusty threw his teammates under the bus with his moment of stupidity against Hibs that saw him sent for an early bath – and cost Celtic three points. The USA stopper is unpredictable at times. He seems to relish playing on the European stage and was imperious away to Feyenoord, Bologna and Stuttgart. A backs-to-the-wall performance seems to get the best out of the ex-Birmingham City stopper, regardless of whom he partners regardless of whom he partners at the heart of the defence. But the 27-year-old still looks so vulnerable domestically and the jury remains firmly out on the centre-back. Trusty has missed Celtic’s last two games after being slapped with a three-game SPFL ban, with Dane Murray and Benjamin Arthur taking turns in his absence. However, with Murray a major injury doubt and rookie Arthur only making his full Hoops debut at Pittodrie, O’Neill will likely opt for his most experienced backline – especially if Tierney is sidelined. Remember, Celts shelled out £6million to sign Trusty from Sheffield United so these are the occasions you expect to lean on your top assets.

Reo Deal

We all know that Reo Hatate has been a shadow of the player that first took Scottish football by storm under Ange Postecoglou. It’s clear the Japan playmaker wants a change of scenery after four-and-a-half years in Glasgow, and a summer departure would probably suit both parties. But after being reduced to a bit-part player this term, Hatate has shown glimpses of his former self. And if he can get anywhere near the levels that once made him the standout midfielder in the country, he could be the real difference maker in Celtic’s quest for silverware.

Game-changer Reo Hatate(Image: Colin Poultney/ProSports/Shutterstock)

Hatate undoubtedly changed the game last weekend after coming on as a half-time sub for shellshocked Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The fans’ favourite constantly broke the lines with his forward passing and dictated play in the engine room, shifting the momentum in Celtic’s favour. Of course, Rangers’ legs did tire after the break following a relentless first-half display that saw them soar into a two-goal lead. And if Hatate does get the nod, he must be prepared for an intense start from the hosts from the first whistle. But if he can produce the same dynamic performance that inspired Celts to rescue a point at Ibrox last week, he could be the driving force behind a first victory in Govan since September 2023.

Show them what you’re Maeda of

Similar to his Japanese countryman, Daizen Maeda has looked alarmingly out-of-sorts this season. The buzzball’s blank at Pittodrie saw his alarming goal drought stretch to ten games – the longest of his Celtic career. Throw in the fact that he’s found the net just eight times compared to his remarkable 33-goal haul last term, Maeda’s downfall has been flabbergasting. Psychologically, he may still be reeling at Hoops chiefs pulling the plug on his big-money summer deadline day departure to Wolfsburg – a move that would’ve seen him double his money. Whether he’ll still have clubs from the top five leagues queueing up for his signature this summer remains to be seen. But with the World Cup on the horizon, Maeda had better buckle up his ideas, or he could see his plane ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico ripped up. The ex-Yokohama F. Marinos hitman’s profligate campaign was summed up in Aberdeen on Wednesday when he pounced on a slip by Jack Milne only to screw his one vs one effort miles past the post. With all that said, Maeda does have history against Rangers and has terrorised James Tavernier and Co. His boundless energy and non-stopping running can set the tone for Celtic and plant a seed of doubt into the suspect Ibrox backline. And even on current form, he might well be a better option to lead the line than goal-shy January signings Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu – who has just two strikes between them.

Run Forrest Run

To be frank, O’Neill has dilemmas all over the park. Aside from Julian Araujo, Tierney (if he’s fit) and skipper Callum McGregor, no one is a guaranteed starter. That’s purely down to the limited quality he has at his disposal, as highlighted in the wide areas. Sebastian Tounekti has produced moments of magic from the bench but he has a long way to go if he’s to shake off the super-sub tag. The Tunisia international has struggled badly for consistency and rarely wreaks havoc on defences from the first whistle. Had Celts had better options, he’d have been better to utilise later in the game against weary legs. But if Maeda is deployed through the middle, Tounekti is the only real alternative to fill the void on the left-hand flank.

Evergreen James Forrest(Image: Getty Images)

On the opposite side, Hyun-Jun Yang – who hit his 100-game milestone at Pittodrie – continues to blow hot and cold. The South Korean blasted one of the greatest Old Firm goals in January’s 3-1 defeat, so he does have the ability to unlock defences. He’ll probably be given the nod on Sunday – with James Forrest being brought on later in the game. The iconic one-club man has racked up a staggering 36 Glasgow derby appearances, but has only two Celtic Park goals to his name. The most decorated player in Celtic’s history faced the press on Friday and admitted he’d love to tick an Ibrox goal off his bucket list. Forrest has made an impact as a sub in recent outings and lumped in the cross that led to Celtic’s dramatic penalty last Sunday. Some believe the 34-year-old should be unleashed from the start on Sunday, but it’d be much wiser to rely on his experience in the second-half.

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