Maeda To Lead The Line? | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian In The Scottish Cup | OneFootball

Rangers’ shocking defeat against minnows Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup 5th Round makes Celtic the outright favourites to conquer a ‘domestic treble’. But a tricky test awaits them on Sunday evening when high-flying Hibernian visit Celtic Park for the quarterfinal clash.

Hibs are the most in-form side in Scotland, having also defeated the Hoops last month at Easter Road. They are on an incredible 15-game unbeaten streak since being humbled by Celtic at Parkhead in December. Despite a late heartbreak, Brendan Rodgers’ ‘Bhoys’ showed their mettle against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. They are superior to Hibernian in terms of quality, depth and technicality. Also, the home advantage puts the Celts in the driver’s seat regardless of a defeat in the previous meeting.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

Celtic have lacked discipline of late in the defensive third. Kasper Schmeichel was tested frequently in their 5-2 win against St Mirren last weekend, and the veteran custodian could be challenged once again by the attacking trio of Josh Campbell, Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 18: Daizen Maeda of Celtic reacts after he scores his team’s second goal during the Premier Sports Cup match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on August 18, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Auston Trusty was forced to leave the pitch against the Buddies after suffering a head injury early into the contest. Liam Scales was resolute from the bench, but the likelihood of Trusty’s availability should see him make way for the USMNT centre-back. Cameron Carter-Vickers must keep his place in deep defence, and so are the fullback pair Alistair Johnston and Jeffrey Schlupp, particularly the latter who has replaced Greg Taylor since being introduced as a half-time substitute for the Scotsman at Easter Road.

Midfield

Paulo Bernardo is still sidelined with an ankle injury suffered against Raith Rovers in the last round of this competition. But the Hoops have Callum McGregor who continues to be the driving force from the base of their three-man midfield. Luke McCowan has been rotated with either Arne Engels or Reo Hatate at the centre of the pitch. However, both Hatate and Engels are ahead of him in the pecking order to operate as the ‘number 8s’.

Attack

Rodgers might undergo a selection dilemma high up the pitch. Yang Hyun-Jun scored a brace soon after being introduced as a substitute in Paisley. But the South Korean might once again feature as the understudy to Nicolas Kuhn down the right-hand flank. Daizen Maeda is in blistering scoring form, and therefore, must spearhead the attack ahead of Adam Idah. Jota could start from the left if Maeda is deployed as a centre-forward.