Celtic vs St Mirren injury news: 8 out, one suspended + 3 doubts as O'Neill faces two big semi-final decisions
Latest injury and team news ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash between Celtic and St Mirren at Hampden Park
Celtic return to Hampden Park this weekend seeking revenge for their Premier Sports Cup Final defeat to St Mirren in December when the two sides clash for the fifth time this season in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The Hoops slumped to a 3-1 defeat to the Buddies on their most recent visit to the national stadium and will hope that lightening doesn’t strike twice on this occasion as they aim to keep their hopes of a league and cup double alive.
This game will be the second weekend in succession that Celtic and St Mirren have gone head-to-head, with Martin O’Neill guiding the defending champions to a narrow 1-0 Premiership win at Parkhead last Saturday.
Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s early strike was enough to settle proceedings in what was another laboured display from Celtic as their opponents were left to rue what might have been amid their ongoing battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot.
The Paisley outfit were the better side for large spells of the second half and will take some confidence from that into this weekend’s last-four encounter, where the winners will face either Dunfermline Athletic or Falkirk in next month’s showpiece final.
Celtic will head into the game as marginal favourites and O’Neill reckons his side will be in stronger shape for their trip to Mount Florida.
O’Neill wants Celtic to play with ‘more freedom’ in semi-final
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he stated: “The last 10, 12, 15 minutes of the game, we were hanging on and you don’t want some mishap at the other end. I just thought that our energy dropped well below that in that sense, or before the last 10 or 15 minutes.
“But we’ll get it back, honestly we will. We’ll be stronger for the semi-final and we’ll get going again. I was just disappointed in that, but not in the result, which is everything. I think we can play with a bit more freedom than we did today.”
Here, GlasgowWorld has rounded up the early team and injury news ahead of Sunday’s cup tie at the national stadium.
Liam Scales (Celtic) - SUSPENDED
Defensive mainstay will miss out through suspension after picking up too many yellow cards in the previous rounds. Will be forced to watch on from the stands.
Shamal George (St Mirren) - DOUBT
Forced off at Celtic Park last weekend due to a trapped nerve in his neck, but has since picked up an ankle knock in training and is now a major doubt.
Callum Osmand (Celtic) - DOUBT
Teenage striker is on the comeback trail from hamstring surgery that has prevented him from featuring since November. Closing in on a return to action after being spotted back in training last week but this game may still come too soon.
Keanu Baccus (St Mirren) - OUT
An Achilles tendon injury means the Australian international will miss the rest of the season and this summer’s World Cup Finals.
Colby Donovan (Celtic) - OUT
The Scotland under-21 international won’t be available for selection for the upcoming games due to a knee problem sustained against Dundee United prior to the international break.
Malik Dijksteel (St Mirren) - OUT
A groin problem will ensure the Dutch attacker doesn’t play again this season.
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) - DOUBT
Canadian defender is back in full training and will take part in a bounce game as he eyes a return to the matchday squad for the first time since October.
Marcus Fraser (St Mirren) - OUT
Experienced full-back has been nursing a shoulder injury since last month and won’t play any part in this clash.
Julian Araujo (Celtic) - OUT
On loan AFC Bournemouth right-back’s season looks to be over after suffering a setback in his battle to shake off a thigh issue before the end of the campaign. Has return to the Vitality Stadium to undergo his rehab.
Kasper Schmeichel (Celtic) - OUT
Veteran Danish goalkeeper could have played the final game of his career. Requires surgery on his shoulder that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for a full year.
Jota (Celtic) - OUT
Portuguese winger has missed the entirety of the campaign due to an ACL injury. Won’t feature until the start of next season after encountering a setback in his recovery.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) - OUT
American centre-back has been absent for several months with an ongoing Achilles injury and won’t kick a ball again this season. A major miss.