GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has made four changes to the Celtic side that beat St Johnstone for today’s League Cup tie at Ibrox.
Perhaps the biggest headline is that Sam Johnstone keeps his place in goals with Vil Sinisalo left on the bench.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kieran Tierney return to the defence with Dane Murray and Auston Trusty on the bench.
Ben Nygren replaces Oliver Sorenson in midfield with Camilo Duran taking over from Haissem Hassan on the right wing.
Sebastian Touneki retains his place on the left wing with Duran on the right, the position that he scored twice at home to LASK in the Champions League Play Off.
Joel van den Berg, recently signed from PSV Eindhoven doesn’t make the bench but on loan Chelsea striker Shim Mheuka is among the substitutes.
CELTIC IN THE CUPS SEASON 25/26
Last season Celtic triumphed over their neighbours in both domestic cup competitions.
In the League Cup semi-final the match finished 1-1 at 90 minutes. In stoppage time Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand scored to book a final place.
Unfortunately Wilfried Nancy was manager when Celtic returned to Hampden to play St Mirren, losing 3-1.
In March Celtic faced a double-header at Ibrox in-between a trip to Aberdeen in the SPFL Premiership.
Following a 2-2 in the SPFL the Scottish Cup quarter-final was goal-less after 90 minutes and extra time.
Tomas Cvancara knocked home the winning penalty in the shoot out with Celtic going on to beat Dunfermline in the final.
Danny Rohl was in charge for both of those matches against Celtic, today Derek McInnes manages in the Derby for the first time.
Nick Walsh is today’s referee with Andrew Dallas and Steven McLean watching closely on VAR.
CELTIC: Johnstone; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney: McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Duran, Hogh, Tounekti
SUBS: Sinisalo, Lotomba, Trusty, Sorensen, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hassan, Mheuka, Murray, Forrest
The way Gassama has been diving around this season already I fully expect a pen against us in this game.
We approach the game one down before a ball is kicked.
Get ur dosh on a pen awarded to Sevco or pen scored by Sevco and Trusty to be carded.
Thank goodness Trusty on the beach
First half shockingly bad. Few wrong selections
What a dreadful first half from us, making this Huns team look like world beaters. We need the manager to make changes for the second half, and I would start with the goalkeeper, who seems to be affected by the atmosphere but he’s not the only one. Only CCV and Donovan getting pass marks from me so far(not that my opinion counts btw). Need a big second half or else we’re oot.
“THEY EMBARRASSED THE HOOPS” 2026 version. Disgraceful performance today from the manager downwards.
“THEY EMBARRASSED THE HOOPS” 2026 version. Disgraceful performance from the manager downwards, bullied all over the place, by a team that I described as rank rotten last month. We offered nothing today, and it was worse than LASK away.
Every game the midfield are getting fucking roasted
Weak as piss