Pat Fenlon’s Hibernian await in the final after their own 2-1 victory over Aberdeen today.
I don’t think Celtic have any new injury concerns. Scott Brown has overcome the knock that saw him taken off early in the second half at Kilmarnock last Saturday and Thomas Rogne is fit again after his ankle injury.
James Forrest remains out with the calf injury sustained in the League Cup final but Victor Wanyama is available again after suspension.
I guess the main decisions are i) Rogne or Loovens; ii) Wanyama or Ki and iii) what 2 from Samaras, Hooper and Stokes.
Lennon is certain to unleash Georgios Samaras on the Jambos.
“He has been huge for us this season,” said the Celtic boss. “We always knew he had the talent, we just needed to find the consistency or, rather, he needed to find the consistency in his performances because he was a bit hit and miss, but once he got into the team this year he was fabulous for us.
“Georgios has great belief in himself but sometimes you would wonder if that was misguided because he wasn’t showing that belief in his play. Then, from round about October, he became a really big player for us.
“He has shown tremendous character as well. It would have been quite easy for him to say ‘I’ve had enough here’ and go and lie in the sun somewhere but he wanted to tough it out, he wanted to prove everyone wrong so I have huge admiration for his strength of character allied to the ability he has shown here.”
Lennon is also full of praise for the Scottish contingent in his global squad and insisted: “Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Scott Brown are the ones who have played regularly and they have been exceptional, so Scottish people should be happy with them allied to the likes of the Steven Naismiths and Allan McGregors of this world shows there are quality players playing in this country and they are homegrown.”
I think that’s only one change from last week - Lustig in for Matthews. I’m guessing Matthews has a knock given he’s not on the bench either.
Wanyama’s physicality has been important against these dirty bastards in previous encounters this season so I’m a little surprised he hasn’t been brought back in.
I fancy Kris Commons to score his first goal of the season today. He’s been gradually getting back to his best over recent weeks.
Yeah, Commons is regaining form and he’s playing in the role and system that nurtures his best qualities. No real complaints with the side either bar Wanyama coming in for Ki. I would liked to have seen Izzy start as well.
You’d imagine we should be a big threat from corners today with the back four all big lads over six foot and Samaras and Ledley being big aerial threats as well.
