Scottish Cup Semi-Final Starting XI’s and Analysis

Celtic have been on one of the most incredible journeys in club history this season. They’ve already collected the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Premiership championship.

Sunday brings about the biggest hurdle to a domestic treble — a Scottish Cup semi-final tie with rival Sevco. Not only is a spot in the final at stake, but so is a domestic unbeaten run that has lasted all season long.

After watching his side get robbed of full points last weekend, can manager Brendan Rodgers get his team to focus on the challenge ahead? If the rest of this season is any indication, you can bet that won’t be too difficult of a task.

However, how will Rodgers choose to attack Sevco on this day? Let’s look at the Starting XI’s for this Scottish Cup semi-final.

Celtic Starting XI:

Sevco Starting XI:

Analysis:

Shocking fact…Celtic haven’t beaten Sevco in a Scottish Cup semi-final tie since 1925. No seriously.

However, the reality of these two clubs has changed so much it is almost prudent to throw history out of the window and realize that the clubs are light years apart. It shows in the lineups the two sides are capable of putting out on the pitch.

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Celtic have plenty of options available, and perhaps the most interesting move is the one that sees Patrick Roberts getting the nod on the right side of midfield over James Forrest. Roberts has been used as more of a super-sub as of late, but given the nature of this tie it makes sense to have his individual ability on the pitch from the start.

Additionally we see Tom Rogic on the bench as Stuart Armstrong will take up the attacking midfield role in the middle of the pitch. That means Scott Brown, who avoided a ban for this match thanks to the Easter holiday, will pair up with young Callum McGregor behind the attacking midfielders.

Per usual, we’ll see a back four of Mikael Lustig, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryk Boyata and Kiernan Tierney from Celtic.

Sevco will put out a 4-3-3 lineup in this matchup and may be looking to play attacking football for a change in these Glasgow derby matchups. However, this lineup could easily be one that allows for Sevco to park the bus and try to frustrate Celtic’s attack up the center of the pitch.

That’s why Roberts inclusion in the Starting XI for the Hoops is so vital. Look for his play to be a catalyst for however the Bhoys look today.