The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
LOWDOWN ON CELTIC’S CUP FINAL TEAM
Craig Gordon
It has been another fine season for the Celtic goalkeeper who has held off the challenge of Dorus de Vries to establish himself as first choice at Parkhead. Remains a safe pair of hands and deservedly back in the Scotland international set-up.
Mikael Lustig
Mr Consistency at Parkhead. A fine defender who has chipped in with goals of his own when given the chance to push forward, the Sweden international right back rarely has a bad day at the office. Experienced and composed in equal measure.
Jozo Simunovic
He started the season looking as if he was off to Torino in Italy and is ending it as a key man in the back four under Brendan Rodgers. A no-nonsense defender who keeps it simple. He is an oldfashioned and rugged stopper who is excellent in the air.
Dedryck Boyata
It’s a toss-up between Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko for who will partner Simunovic in the Hoops back four for the cup final, but I expect the former Manchester City defender to get the call. Both players are physically strong but concentration for the full 90 or 120 minutes if required offers hope for Aberdeen. Whether the Dons can take advantage is another matter.
Scott Brown
The man who makes Celtic tick. When he plays well his team plays well and Brown is the on-field general who dictates proceedings. He has been the key performer in the engine room at Parkhead and as he celebrates 10 years at the club he is the man Aberdeen must stop from controlling the game.
Stuart Armstrong
The midfielder has been a huge success in Rodgers’ reinvented Celtic team. Arrived at the Hoops as an attacking midfielder, he has overcome a sluggish start to become an integral box to box player and alongside Brown has been a major factor in the Hoops winning two trophies already this season.
Patrick Roberts
Has drifted in and out of the Hoops team this season but there is no doubting his ability and he has looked strong in the closing months of the season. He looks to be returning to Manchester City in the summer but would love to go back to England with a treble to show for the season. When he’s firing on all cylinders he is a handful for any team and will relish the chance to play at Hampden.
Callum McGregor
When he signed a five-year deal in 2014 he looked to have a huge future at the club, but found himself in and out of Ronny Deila’s side. Since Rodgers’ arrival, however, McGregor has gone from strength to strength. Goals in back-to-back games against Rangers have boosted his confidence further. Was a handful at Pittodrie a week ago and a man the Dons must nullify.
Scott Sinclair
He arrived in Scotland in the summer with much to prove following a poor spell in England, but hit the ground running by scoring the winner on his debut at Hearts and hasn’t looked back since. Quick, creative and a lethal finisher, Sinclair is loving life in Scotland and it shows. Aberdeen kept him quiet in the last league encounter and they have to do it again at Hampden.
Leigh Griffiths
Moussa Dembele is back in light training but I’d be amazed if Griffiths missed out. He is the man for the big occasion and loves playing at Hampden. If I was Derek McInnes I’d rather see Dembele in the team than Griffiths as for me, the Scot is a more elusive, dynamic and dangerous player, despite all the headlines Dembele has commanded for his performances this season. His reaction to being substituted against Partick on Thursday night will not be held against him.