Two changes- Rodgers’ side at full strength to crush Aberdeen

In his time in charge of Celtic Brendan Rodgers has never let emotions interfere with his team selection. The Irishman knows the strengths and weaknesses of his players better than anyone and probably knows the Aberdeen players as well as Derek McInnes. Before Sunday's match Rodgers will have everything pre-planned with his biggest decisions coming in the middle of the park. When Celtic demolished the tribute act at the start of September Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham were critical to the victory, controlling the tone and pace of the match throughout. It is very possible that neither could start for Celtic at Hampden on Sunday- without the confidence of the fans or management flickering. With an incredible programme of matches during December to be negotiated Rodgers will call on all of his top team squad with the first and last matches of the month the most critical. Another trophy success on Sunday lays down more than a marker- it will spark further talk of a Treble Treble and comparisons of how this team compares with the last two seasons. In Brendan we trust! SCOTT BAIN What a year it has been for the former Dundee keeper, picking up a winners medal at Hampden would be the perfect seal on 12 unforgettable months. A year ago he was the victim of Neil McCann's 'wee guy syndrome' and jumped at the chance to join Hibs on loan once the January transfer window opened. Craig Gordon's knee injury in January opened a new chapter in his career, since a winning debut at Ibrox he hasn't looked back and is now the strongest second choice keeper Celtic have had in years. MIKAEL LUSTIG Picked up a thigh injury late on in Rosenborg and quickly got off the park for treatment. Europe hasn't been favourable to the Swede this season but domestically he is a cut above anything else available in Scotland whilst having the big match experience for every occasion. With the partnership of Dedryck Boyata and Philip Benkovic on his left and James Forrest in front he only has his own game to be concerned with. DEDRYCK BOYATA You would have got long odds on the Belgian being anywhere near the Celtic side during the darkest days of summer, even longer odds on having the approval of most fans. He came into the team at home to Hamilton, scored the only goal of the game and hasn't looked back. A victory to the man management skills of his manager. He missed out on the 2016 Betfred Cup Final win over Aberdeen but has been a big part of all successes since with his game improving month by month. FILIP BENKOVIC The Quiet Man slipped in as Dedryck Boyata was making his escape, if it had been a swap Celtic haven't done too badly. There is certainly a touch of the van Dijk's about the way the Croatian goes about his business, domestically he has barely broken sweat. Enjoy him while you can, he is certainly enjoying his football but next season he'll be looking to go head to head with the big noises in the EPL rather than the more basic challenges of the SPFL. KIERAN TIERNEY e No matter how many medals he wins the next final will always mean the most to the bhoy from Wishaw. Tierney was a rock through Celtic's shaky early season problems, with the team back on form he is making an even bigger contribution. His left wing partnership with Scott Sinclair is almost impossible to contain, they'll both revel in the spaces of Hampden and the backing of over 30,000 Celtic supporters. CALLUM MCGREGOR Deep down there's no way that McGregor would be left out of this match, Scott Brown isn't at his level of performance but is a more than useful substitute. McGregor has rarely missed out on the big matches and has a proven track record for finding the net at Hampden. Whatever the position he can turn in an 8/10 performance, in the 2017 Scottish Cup Final he slotted in at left-back and still drove the team to victory. OLIVIER NTCHAM Ryan Christie didn't do much wrong against Rosenborg but there is a case for using Ntchan's strength to put Aberdeen on the back-foot. A hamstring injury in the semi-final against Hearts put his season on hold but last week against Hamilton he showed that he had fully recovered. Fully fit the former Manchester City man will almost always be in Rodgers' side, those sort of things are discussed when contract extensions are signed. JAMES FORREST The on form player in Scottish football and something of a Betfred Cup specialist. Seeing his name on the team-sheet will be a big relief, when he picked up a knock in Rosenborg it must have cheered up every Aberdeen fan. On his last Hampden visit he scored a hat-trick, a winners medal will be his first priority but only a fool would bet against him scoring in the final for the third season running. TOM ROGIC Has a brilliant knack of scoring against Aberdeen, he opened the scoring in the 2016 Betfred Cup Final and completed the Invisible treble against the same opponents six months later. Against Rosenborg he popped up in all the difficult areas for the home side to defend against, at Hampden his finishing is likely to have an extra edge. On form he brings everything together in the Celtic side, linking all the attacking options and capable of breaking the deadlock by angling in a long range shot. SCOTT SINCLAIR Has quietly re-established himself in the side since being brought on during the first half of the semi-final win over Hearts at Murrayfield. He'll struggle to recapture the heights of his debut season but 80% of that would make a big contribution- just like his header against Rosenborg. You can't have too many match-winners in your side with the former Manchester City winger well capable of finding the net on the big occasion. ODSONNE EDOUARD A first final for the French kid who has exploded on the scene during 2018. His youth is often overlooked, at the age of 20 he has shown his ability and eye for goal with Hampden providing the perfect stage for his ability. Moussa Dembele's departure hasn't been overly missed which is quite a compliment to Edouard, he'll be keen to keep his place in the side ahead of the fit again Leigh Griffiths.

Related Stories

Falkirk demand action after Ibrox fans create carnage

NOT ANOTHER PENNY as Celtic turn to the Great Giveaway

The Celtic Shirt of Augusta as Rory McIlroy proves to be the Master

Within our walls- Celtic defender highlights their SPFL title edge

Celtic loan deal descends into high farce

Chris Sutton delivers blunt Celtic put down

You may have missed

Falkirk demand action after Ibrox fans create carnage

NOT ANOTHER PENNY as Celtic turn to the Great Giveaway

The Celtic Shirt of Augusta as Rory McIlroy proves to be the Master

Within our walls- Celtic defender highlights their SPFL title edge

DEDRYCK BOYATA

What do you feel about this?

Related Stories

Trending Now

You may have missed