Brendan Rodgers has some big decisions to make as he prepares for Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie with Sevco at Hampden.
In the three matches since clinching the title at Tynecastle the hoops have eased back a gear with the manager admitting that the Hampden clash has been in his mind.
Two draws either side of a win over Kilmarnock have taken some of the momentum out of the side but it’ll be mid afternoon at Hampden before a decision can be made on whether the team is back on song.
Last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final will go down as one of the biggest turning points in the history of the club.
No one leaving Hampden could have guessed how the next 12 months would work out with the club returning to the national stadium in buoyant mood.
Most of the players involved will be back but with Brendan Rodgers in the dug out the team has been transformed by the arrival of two players- Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair.
Sunday’s game is certain to be hyped to extremes, Rodgers has learned plenty about the fixture over the course of the season and will have his players briefed and prepared for every eventuality in order to extend the season into a return trip to Hampden on May 27.
CRAIG GORDON
His game has been transformed over the course of the season taking on board the sweeper keeper role.
Gordon’s relationship with the central defenders has had to alter with no settled relationship throughout the season.
The Scottish Cup has escaped his collection since he joined Celtic, a clean sheet on Sunday will go a long way to correcting that and setting up the perfect finale to the season.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Missed out on the draw at Ross County and has been under par in his last two derby appearances.
Cristian Gamboa is waiting patiently in the wings to get his chance with Lustig knowing that there is real competition for his place.
Whoever is on the left wing for the Ibrox club needs snuffed out, if Lustig can do that he can push forward to support James Forrest.
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
Was back in the side at Ross County but pushed out of his comfort zone onto the right of a back three.
Much was expected of the former Dinamo Croatia defender but two years into his Celtic career he has still to make the impact expected from a central defender.
He had an outstanding game in the Betfred Cup semi final earlier in the season with that level of performance required again on Sunday.
DEDRYCK BOYATA
Last season at Hampden looked like Boyata’s farewell as he left the pitch midway through the first half with a hamstring injury.
It turned out to be an extended exile with just one more first team appearance before the turn of the year.
Since the winter break he has emerged as the first pick central defender although he has been missing/rested in the last couple of games.
He needs a big performance to convince that he is upto scratch and capable of playing a lead role in next season’s Champions League qualifiers.
KIERAN TIERNEY
There has been some suggestions that he’s been short of his best in recent weeks but these things happen with 19-year-old’s.
His partnership with Scott Sinclair is essential to Celtic’s success and one of the main sources of goals.
A goal last week at Ross County won’t have harmed his confidence, after missing the Betfred Cup Final win over Aberdeen in November he’ll be keener than ever to reach the final of the Scottish Cup.
SCOTT BROWN
Despite the moral outrage the skipper will be there, in the thick of the action and more determined than ever, if it was possible, to succeed.
Last season’s performance looked close to the end of the road but under new management he has bounced back better than ever this season.
All eyes will be on him looking for a reaction, he’ll know that and put in a controlled and disciplined performance that won’t tolerate any slackers in his side.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
He may not be everyone’s favourite but he’s rated by his manager and put in an outstanding performance alongside Scott Brown at Ibrox in December.
The midfielder knows what is required in this game and has the variety to his play that is lacking in Nir Bitton.
McGregor’s versatility allows Stuart Armstrong to play off Moussa Dembele with Tom Rogic not yet ready for potentially 120 minutes of action.
JAMES FORREST
Is under intense pressure from Patrick Roberts but like McGregor has the unstinting support of his manager.
His play isn’t as eye catching as Roberts but with rookie wonderboy Myles Beerman as his direct opponent this is one battle that he’ll fancy big time.
He’ll give it 100% and if it’s not working he’ll be off the park with plan B introduced in the shape of Roberts.
STUART ARMSTRONG
Is rapidly developing the reputation of a specialist in this fixture, his intervention in the Betfred Cup semi-final projected him into the first XI and he hasn’t looked back.
He is equally effective in an advanced or deeper midfield role, in an advanced role he has more opportunities around goal. Double figures in terms of goals from two thirds of the season is priceless.
A year ago his career looked like disappearing quietly, news of a new Celtic contract is awaited by every Celtic fan.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
Had his first off day of the season in the 1-1 draw in the SPFL, it’s highly unlikely that there will be another on Sunday.
Like Tierney he missed out on the Betfred Cup Final win over Aberdeen and will have plenty of incentive to get back to Hampden next month.
In the Betfred Cup semi-final win in October he did everything but score, look out for a trademark goal as he powers in from the left then curls a right foot shot into the postage stamp corner, he’s scored that goal already in the Scottish Cup against Albion Rovers and St Mirren
MOUSSA DEMBELE
After a dynamic run through February his scoring record has dipped but this fixture is one that brings out the best in him.
He was constantly pulled, pushed and grabbed during the 1-1 draw last month, he’ll be ready for it and know that Hampden provides a great stage for his talents.
Leigh Griffiths is back fit and ready to step in or join Dembele in attack but hopefully an on form Dembele can negate the need for a super sub.
LEIGH GRIFFITHS
Has excelled in two of the three previous Hampden clashes between the clubs, in the third he’ll never come closer to scoring from a free-kick.
The spotlight is firmly on the former Hibs striker after Brendan Rodgers highlighted concerns about his attitude and approach to the game.
He’ll be desperate to have more than a walk on roll. putting in a telling contribution will edge him closer to a top team recall.
PATRICK ROBERTS
Probably the unluckiest player in the squad up against James Forrest with the clock ticking down on his Celtic loan.
He is certainly a potential match winner and able to play in the centre of weaving trickery coming off the right flank.
There’s bound to be a few more chapters in his Celtic career, no one should rule out a return but the Manchester City kid would love to put his mark on this fixture at the national stadium.
TOM ROGIC
This match is probably a fortnight too early for the Australian who was out of action for four months.
His position in the side wasn’t fully covered for during his absence. He was really hitting form and lasting the 90 minutes when he was struck down, coming on as a substitute in the last half hour he’ll have plenty to give to the side.