Predicted Celtic lineup vs Rangers: Trusty returns but will he start over Arthur?

Celtic could progress to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a win against Rangers, but who will start?
Aberdeen v Celtic - William Hill Premiership
Aberdeen v Celtic - William Hill Premiership | Craig Foy - SNS Group/GettyImages

Celtic return to Ibrox for the second weekend in a row to face Rangers in an exciting Scottish Cup quarter-final clash.

After beating Aberdeen 2-1 at Pittodrie to win their game in hand, Celtic will be wanting to come out all guns blazing against the Gers. Now above them in the Scottish Premiership table, that will instil some confidence that the Hoops can get a big result.

Rangers didn't have a game mid-week, but had a brilliant first half last Sunday against Celtic. Two goals from Youssef Chermiti gave them the lead going into the second 45 but Celtic fought back to split the points.

This time, a draw isn't possible, with extra time and a penalty shootout on the cards if the deadlock isn't broken after 90 minutes.

Predicted Celtic XI for Rangers away

Kasper Schmeichel is back for this one. He has been spotted in training again after being out with an illness. However, we think that Viljami Sinisalo will get the nod. He has been too good recently to drop, even for a cup game.

Liam Scales will start this one, but it'll be interesting to see who is next to him. We would love to see Benjamin Arthur after his incredible performance against Aberdeen, and we think that's likely.

However, Auston Trusty is returning for this game and, considering this is a derby, we think he could be started instead. Dane Murray is likely to miss the game through injury.

Julian Aurajo and Kieran Tierney will start in the full-back positions. Aurajo is a must, especially after his rattling of the Gers after last weekend's game.

In the midfield, Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate should start. Nygren got a goal against the Dons, and we know what he can do. Starting him is a no-brainer. Hatate has found his form again and was great at Pittodrie as well. We shouldn't change what isn't broken.

Up front, Daizen Maeda could get the nod at striker from the start. He featured in the central position last time out at Ibrox, and Tomas Cvancara failed to grab a goal against Aberdeen in mid-week. That was likely his chance to show why he deserves to start, and he didn't take it, so Maeda it is.

On the wing, Sebastian Tounekti should start on the left, while we think James Forrest should play on the right. When Forrest came on against Aberdeen, he was really impressive, and since this is a cup game, we should rotate him in.


Sinisalo (GK)

Aurajo (RB), Trusty (CB), Scales (CB), Tierney (LB)

Nygren (CM), McGregor (CM), Hatate (CM)

Forrest (RW), Maeda (ST), Tounekti (LW)


How could the match go?

It'll certainly be another tight game at Ibrox. Who knows what will happen, but at least it has to be a victory for either team this time rather than sitting through another draw.

Our prediction is Rangers 1 - 1 Celtic after full time, with a narrow Celtic victory in extra time.

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