Yogi expects Dembele to lead the line
CELTIC legend John Hughes reckons Brendan Rodgers will give the nod to Moussa Dembele to lead the attack at Hampden today.
There has been a clamour for the Hoops boss to play the French Under-21 star and Leigh Griffiths as twin strikers against Rangers.
However, Hughes – known as Yogi during his 12-year and 197-goal Hoops career – doesn’t think Rodgers will take a risk with a domestic clean sweep a mere two games away.
He said: “I could see the point of teaming Dembele and Griffiths if they had played a few games together this season. But they have rarely figured in the same line-up.
“Dembele has struck 32 goals in his debut term at the club and Griffiths claimed 40 last time out.
“He has been unlucky with injuries, but has still managed 14.
“Celtic have scored nine goals against the Ibrox men this season and Dembele has scored five of them, so it would be difficult to overlook him for a starting place.”
Hughes, now 74, said: “It’s no fluke Celtic have gone 40 domestic matches unbeaten. We did 26 on the bounce in the 1966/67 season when we won everything.
“I was privileged to play in the firstever Celtic team to win the treble.
“Now Celtic are two Cup-ties away from emulating Jock Stein’s team and Martin O’Neill’s, who did the treble 16 years ago.”
Hughes, the club’s eighth-highest goalscorer, also believes Pedro Caixinha’s side could be vulnerable in defence where the Portuguese has introduced David Bates at centrehalf and Myles Beerman at left-back.
He added: “The youngsters have done well.
“They’ll find a match against Celtic, though, is an entirely different ball game.
“James Forrest could start against Beerman and then make way for Patrick Roberts at some stage.
“The on-loan Manchester City winger is clearly an impact player and the young Rangers lad surely can’t relish the thought of facing these guys.
“So, I reckon everything points to a Celtic win but they know they must get off to a good start.
“In the past two games, the Ibrox men have come flying out the traps as they have tried to dictate the pace and pattern of the game.
“I don’t think they will be allowed that luxury this time around.”