Celtic predicted XI vs St Mirren: Wilfried Nancy set to stick to his guns for all-or-nothing League Cup Final
Here's how we think the Celtic boss will set his team up for the Hampden corker.
In match that is a must-win for Wilfried Nancy and Celtic for their first chance of silverware, here’s what we think his starting XI will most likely be.
Celtic will go into the match favourites and currently sit seven places ahead of their opponents in the Premiership table, but against a physical Buddies side, the phrase ‘anything can happen’ springs to mind. Nancy has lost his first two games in the Celtic Park dugout as the side undergo a transitional period, however the Frenchman, along with 30,000 Hoops fans in the stadium, will be hoping everything clicks into gear come 3:15pm on Sunday.
In St Mirren they will be facing a team known for not always being pretty, but rugged, aggressive and defensively astute. However, in their semi-final 4-1 hammering of Motherwell, Steven Robinson’s men also proved they can play good football and were in no way overawed by the occasion.
Against both Hearts and Roma, Nancy named the exact same XI, Glasgow World predict they’ll be one or two personnel changes, but the system will stay the same. Here’s how we think Wilfried Nancy will set up his Celtic team in the 2025 Premier Sports Cup final:
Kasper Schmeichel
The Dane’s last trip to Hampden didn’t end well... But for the Hoops he’s always produced there in the big moments. In the same fixture last season his Ridvan Yilmaz penalty save eventually won them the trophy.
Auston Trusty
Was Man of the Match against Rangers in the semis and was a rock at the back under O’Neill. However he hasn’t looked quite as comfortable in his new look role at the right of the back three.
Liam Scales
Will have to be on top of his game against the likes of Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga. A disciplined performance will be required from the Irishman.
Kieran Tierney
Expected to be deployed on the left of the back three again, he also may have a tough time against the Buddies giants. Wouldn’t expect him to last the full 90.
Colby Donovan
We know Nancy’s not one for changing, but both Yang Hyun-jun and Sebastian Tounekti at wing-backs hasn’t worked so far. The Scottish youngster has impressed domestically and in Europe of late and deserves a big start.
Callum McGregor
Broke St Mirren hearts three weeks ago with his last minute screamer at the SMISA Stadium. What the manager would do for him to recreate that on Sunday.
Arne Engels
A big performance is needed from the Belgian in a game of this magnitude. If he can be trusted in games like this he’ll further start to justify his hefty pricetag.
Yang Hyun-jun
On the left instead of Tounekti. The South Korean winger looked a lot more settled in the wing back role than his opposite number.
Luke McCowan
Another player due a start as Benjamin Nygren has struggled of late. Like the skipper, he also grabbed a late winner against The Saints on flag day.
Reo Hatate
A very important part of what Nancy’s trying to do. If anyone’s going to create anything on Sunday it will be the inticate Japanese midfielder.
Daizen Maeda
Had a frustrating evening against Roma and Kelechi Iheanacho looked sharp when coming on. However, Maeda’s energy levels almost make him undroppable in a fixture like thus