da bet nacional： Celtic travel to the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie on Sunday, facing Scottish League One Albion Rovers on neutral ground.
da poker： It’s one of those romantic cup ties that only competitions like the Scottish Cup can throw up, and a sell-out crowd will witness it.
The winter break means Celtic will have not seen action for over three weeks by the time they take the field
That’s a long time to go for supporters and many are desperate to see the Bhoys back in action. The last fixture was that 2-1 derby win at Ibrox and fans have been on a high ever since.
Given Rovers’ part-time status, this fixture, on paper, should not present a problem for the Hoops, so, it’s a good opportunity to bring through some young players, fringe stars and those returning from injury.
That said, the usual determination and application will be required to ensure there are no slip-ups.
Who deserves a chance for the Bhoys?
Here are FIVE young Celtic stars who should be given the opportunity on Sunday…
Ryan Christie
Ryan Christie has performed well for Celtic when called upon this season. He was utilised from the start twice during the Bhoys’ busy December run, hardly putting a foot wrong in either match.
He was most impressive against Ross County in his last appearance, and was arguably the best player on the pitch for the hour he got to show his skills.
At just 21, he’s still developing into a player that can play week-in, week-out for Celtic but deserves his chance to show what he can do against Rovers.
He’s not a player without experience after making over 70 appearances for Inverness Caledonian Thistle before his move to the Bhoys.
If he does play, there’s likely to be a bit of friendly rivalry on the pitch. Christie’s flatmate and good friend Calum Ferguson actually plays for Albion Rovers!
Liam Henderson
Liam Henderson was given the opportunity to make inroads into the Celtic first-team last summer instead of being shipped out on loan like in the season prior.
He’s done that with mixed success, making seven appearances for the Hoops but sitting out large spells of the season. Like Christie, he’s done little wrong in a Celtic shirt and deserves to show what he can do in the heart of midfield.
Henderson was, of course, part of the Hibs team that lifted last season’s Scottish Cup. He provided two assists from corners to drag the Edinburgh side back into the final against Rangers and help them win their first Scottish Cup in over 100 years.
He knows what it takes to win cup ties and if he plays should have no problem facing Albion Rovers.
Calvin Miller
Calvin Miller has had something of a transformation at Celtic under Rodgers. Coming through Celtic’s youth system as a striker, he’s now being deployed on the left-flank as a winger or even as a left-back.
It was at left-back he made his debut for Celtic against Partick Thistle in December and he was one of the better performers on the pitch.
That’s enough for us to give him a shout for another start in the green and white. Not only that but he’s also in good form, scoring in a 1-0 Development Side win over Rangers in league action this week.
Jack Aitchison
At 16 years and 71 days, Jack Aitchison became the youngest ever Celtic goalscorer with his debut effort on the final day of last season.
He’s not had a chance to show what he can do in the Celtic first-team since but has been quietly progressing in Celtic’s development side.
Given that the Bhoys are facing League One opposition, it’d be a boost for the Celtic support to check in on how the young striker is doing. He’s, of course, unlikely to start but if the game is going well we see no harm in letting him get some vital action off the bench.
Rodgers is likely to field a strong side since it’s been so long since competitive action, but these fixtures are ideal to start bringing through the young talent at Lennoxtown.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney is fit again! Those are words which every Celtic supporter will rejoice in reading.
The 19-year-old full-back hasn’t featured for the Bhoys since way back in October against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. For fans, that’s felt like an eternity so we can only imagine how long it has felt like for the young Scotland international.
He is, of course, established in the team and should have no worries winning his place back from Emilio Izaguirre, but Sunday is a good opportunity to build up some match fitness after his three-month absence in what should be a routine win for the Hoops.
Celtic have been in fantastic form but the return of Tierney is likely to make them even better as they seek to continue their unbeaten domestic season.