Celtic Scottish Cup Final XI

There’s not likely to be any surprises in Brendan Rodgers cup final team with his favoured XI coming into shape over the last month.

Slowly over the course of the season the team has evolved with Kris Ajer and Olivier Ntcham the newest faces emerging and looking to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time.

Alongside them there is bags of experience with players that are time served as winners at Hampden just 25 months after a relative disaster at the National Stadium.

While there is clearly pressure on Celtic to deliver it doesn’t quite seem as intense as last season when an invincible treble was on the line.

The experience of that success last season will count a lot on Saturday but just as importantly Rodgers has kept hungry the XI who will start at Hampden.

At the core is a strong Scottish element- Tierney, Forrest, McGregor and Brown have got more than 50 years experience of the club and are as keen as ever to add more honours.

Motherwell will present a full on physical challenge, it’s the type of game that the hoops aren’t entirely comfortable against, especially when the referee is sympathetic to the underdog.

With history on hand and more than 40,000 supporters willing the team to victory everything points towards another huge celebration on Saturday taking hoops supporters through the close season on the back of the welcome news of Tom Rogic signing a new contract.

CRAIG GORDON

After missing three matches there is a little question mark over the first choice keeper who returned to action in the 4-0 semi-final win over Sevco although action is a little strong.

Gordon has barely put a foot wrong domestically and has the character to organise and motivate his defenders.

Motherwell will make it physical, that won’t be a surprise with the hoops keeper looking to enjoy another special Hampden celebration.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

Very much like Gordon, he knows the drill for the big matches and rarely gets a chasing domestically.

He hasn’t come close to last seasons standards, like many but has shaken off the threat from Anthony Ralston and Cristian Gamboa.

Motherwell like to play things direct, there won’t be much of a threat down the wings with Lustig’s height useful defending against set pieces.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

Survived a nightmare return from injury at Ibrox and has quietly impressed over the last month.

He hasn’t resorted to Route One but there are much fewer unforced errors despite seeing as much of the ball at the back.

His scoring threat hasn’t been as obvious this season but there is always the prospect that he has been saving up for something special.

KRIS AJER

A first final for the young defender who demonstrated his commitment with a new contract signed on Monday.

He has had an outstanding season that would have got more attention if it hadn’t been for the continuing excellence of Kieran Tierney.

A problem position has more than been solved with the more experienced trio of Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Marvin Compper looking on from the sidelines.

KIERAN TIERNEY

Another outstanding season, no one will need to tell him what is on the line on Saturday against his home-town team.

Going into the history books is more likely to inspire than intimidate the defender who had a very unfortunate experience at last season’s Scottish Cup Final.

KT will mainly be seen in an attacking role, the balance on the left seems productive with Callum McGregor with the highest quality assured from the left-back every team in the EPL would love to sign.

SCOTT BROWN

It is a big weekend for the skipper but he knows that the important action is on Saturday.

Motherwell will go out to get him involved, look for an early caution and knock him out of his stride but opponents have been trying that all season. Ask Naismith, Dorrans and Halliday.

Brown will have every player on he park knowing what is expected of them and will lead from the front at all times.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

Has claimed a very competitive place in the side with steady and at times spectacular performances.

Rodgers left him out of some matches earlier in the season but despite the options in Armstrong, McGregor, Kouassi and others it is the former Manchester City man that will be alongside Scott Brown.

His game is developing rapidly, Scottish football doesn’t faze him with a big performance anticipated as he looks to complete his domestic medal collection.

JAMES FORREST

It would be very fitting if he was to complete his best ever season with a match winning performance at Hampden.

There hasn’t really been any point where his form has dipped to allow Patrick Roberts into the side although the departure of the on loan Manchester City winger has also helped Forrest, Rodgers wants to work with players he’ll have for next season’s qualifiers.

After breaking his scoring duck- in style- against Sevco he has did it all as a Celtic player but adding to his impressive medal collection is a huge motivator.

TOM ROGIC

Only a fool would bet against the Wizard of Oz from scoring at Hampden.

Time and again he has shown his credentials with goals on the big occasion, he’d probably the player that is the focus of Motherwell’s pre-match plans, don’t forget the shin pads Tom.

What a boost to everyone that he has signed a new contract, he has created plenty of memories so far, it looks like there is plenty more to come from the bargain signing from Central Coast Mariners.

CALLUM MCGREGOR

Another big game specialist with a record for scoring at Hampden.

McGregor compliments Rogic very well and knows what to expect from the Tierney Express behind him.

He has the game and intelligence to adapt to changing situations, last season he dropped to left-back in the Scottish Cup Final and still turned in an outstanding display.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

Again there will be no shortage of speculation, or wishful thinking, that this could be Moussa’s farewell.

In his last Hampden appearance he dominated and bullied the Sevco defence with Young McCrorie pleased to be excused further punishment when he was red carded.

He’ll have his eye out for the brutal defensive tactics of the Motherwell defence, and he streetwise enough to avoid damage to himself while putting the Lanarkshire side into panic mode.