Rightly or wrongly, League Cup ties usually present Celtic managers with the chance to rotate and rest. 

Raith Rovers await this evening as the Hoops look to get themselves back onto solid ground after the turbulence of recent weeks.

This one is a particularly tricky proposition for Ange Postecoglou as recent form dictates this is not only a must-win as a knockout tie but a must-win for the sake of confidence and perception too.

Will the manager hand some of the team which performed so poorly against Livingston on Sunday a chance at immediate redemption or ring the changes for the visit of a team one division lower?

Our writers make their predictions...

Alison McConnell

The likelihood is that it will be the strongest team available for Ange Postecoglou as he looks to guide Celtic past the Kirkcaldy outfit by any means necessary.

Slipping up at all would put an end to any chat of understanding among the club’s support whose patience was tested fairly comprehensively last term.

Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis could make his debut for the club but is not expected to start the game but there will be a few eager eyes on the forward.

Callum McGregor’s continued absence remains a source of concern given the pivotal nature of his role. His loss has been felt keenly in recent weeks.

James McCarthy struggled for the time he was on the pitch on Sunday at Livingston which would be reflective of the midfielder’s lack of match fitness. Ismaila Soro contributed more for the latter stages he was on and could be expected to be given a starting jersey this evening.

All in all, this is a game that Celtic need to win at all costs.  

Alison's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Ralston; Soro, Rogic, McCarthy; Jota, Ajeti, Abada.

Sean Martin

I think there will be minimal changes from Sunday's poor show and the manager will present a few of his players with the chance to make amends. 

Josip Juranovic has played seven 90-minute matches in a row for club and country so this could be a chance for Anthony Ralston to come back in and pick up some minutes. The less rotation in the backline the better, however, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Boli Bolingoli will retain their places in front of Joe Hart.

In midfield, James McCarthy came in for some stinging criticism for his display on Sunday but might be handed a show of faith by the manager given it was his first start. Ismaila Soro injected some energy into the Celtic display at Almondvale, and created arguably their best chance, so he could come in to give one of David Turnbull or Tom Rogic a much-needed rest.

READ MORE: The Raith Rovers dangermen that can hurt Celtic in League Cup quarter-final - preview

Jota performed well on the right against Real Betis last week and a return there frees up space on the left for Adam Montgomery to add to his senior game-time. Up front, while I have suggested Liel Abada could be utilised there during Kyogo Furuhashi's absence, I think he sticks with Albian Ajeti for now with Giorgos Giakoumakis to make his debut off the bench.

Sean's team: Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Bolingoli; McCarthy, Soro; Jota, Turnbull, Montgomery; Ajeti.

Tony Haggerty

I think Ange Postecoglou will shake things up a bit against Raith Rovers after the shock 1-0 Livingston reverse.

The same back four that started in Seville will return to the starting line-up which will see Anthony Ralston and Carl Starfelt come in at the expense of Boli Bolingoli and Stephen Welsh.

In midfield, James McCarthy enjoyed an uncomfortable first start in a Celtic jersey in West Lothian and, for that reason, he will be benched.

Tom Rogic and David Turnbull will keep their places in the heart of the engine room with young Adam Montgomery - who did well against Real Betis and was unlucky to lose his first-team shirt - being deployed on the left wing and Jota on the right.

I feel that Postecoglou might opt for Liel Abada to support Albian Ajeti in a two-man attack with Celtic going for goals against the only Championship side left in the competition.

Tony's team: Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Juranovic; Jota, Rogic, Turnbull, Montgomery; Abada, Ajeti.