Celtic team news & predicted line-ups vs Raith Rovers

After defeating Kilmarnock 2-1 at home in the last round of the competition, the Glasgow side face Robson’s Championship outfit, who currently sit in seventh place in the second-tier of Scottish football. Somewhat surprisingly, ‘The Rovers’ beat Falkirk 2-1 away from home in the last round to book their place in this fixture, though they were defeated by Dunfermline 3-1 last weekend in the league.

Robson, who took charge of his new team at the end of last year, spent two years at Celtic under Gordon Strachan and Tony Mowbray, memorably scoring with his first touch against future side Aberdeen at Pittodrie back in 2008. Big goals against the likes of Rangers and Barcelona would follow, as Robson won two trophies in his spell at the champions.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake for the winners, who will Rodgers elect to pick for this match? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

After the club’s tremendous win and performance against Dundee just three days prior, Celtic will be looking for more of the same versus Raith Rovers – against a very familiar face.

Despite the disappointment of the transfer window, all of that bad feeling seemed to evaporate as matters on the pitch entertained all of the supporters who attended Celtic’s game in midweek. With Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week, I believe that Rodgers will have one eye on that game, though most of his focus will be getting through to the next round.

We will finally see Viljami Sinisalo getting his Celtic debut in goals for his new club, as Kasper Schmeichel will miss out due to injury. There will be changes elsewhere in the defence, as Liam Scales will replace Cameron Carter-Vickers due to rotation. The same will transpire for the likes of Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston, as Jeffrey Schlupp and Tony Ralston will step in – the former will make his first start for the club in the process. Auston Trusty will retain his place in the Celtic backline.

In the midfield, I’ve been toying with the idea that the captain will perhaps be rested for this one, though I’ve given him the nod after much deliberation. Arne Engels and Reo Hatate will be rotated, however, as Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan will enter the fray in their place. Still, this midfield should be more than good enough to take care of the opposition on the day.

Up front, I would hand Johnny Kenny his first start for the club, as Adam Idah must be protected from injury – especially with the Munich game in mind. In order to build his fitness, Jota will start on the left, while Daizen Maeda will take the right-winger slot. The latter has to play, given his suspension for next week’s massive game – and also protecting Nicolas Kuhn in the process.

Celtic will rotate, but they will still win at a canter here, as the fringe players look to impress their manager.

Ryan’s team: Sinisalo; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Schlupp; McGregor, Bernardo, McCowan; Maeda, Kenny, Jota

Tony Haggerty

Fresh from their impressive 6-0 midweek hammering of Dundee that moved them 13 points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race, Celtic continue their defence of the Scottish Cup with a last-16 tie against Raith Rovers at Parkhead.

Rodgers will no doubt ring the changes for this one ahead of next midweek's mouthwatering Champions League playoff round first leg against Bayern Munich at home. The Irishman will have been delighted at the football his team served up against the Dark Blues and he will want more of the same against former Celt Barry Robson's Kirkcaldy outfit.

However, Rodgers will need to somehow strike a balance here by fielding a strong enough team capable of winning the match with the minimum of fuss but he will opt to offer some fringe players a chance to gain some valuable first-team minutes in the process.

The 52-year-old has urged his side to keep their foot on the floor in their attempts to secure another domestic clean sweep.

Sinisalo will be deployed between the sticks - as Rodgers confirmed he will make his debut on Saturday. It will be a rejigged back four with Ralston occupying the right-back slot and on-loan deadline day signing from Crystal Palace Schlupp taking up the left-back berth. At the heart of the defence American boy Trusty will partner with Republic of Ireland international Scales at right and left centre-back respectively.

In the engine room, it will be a rotation day with Belgian midfielder Engels and Japanese playmaker Hatate given rest time. Captain McGregor will lead the team alongside McCowan and Portuguese under-21 skipper Bernardo. 

Up front, Idah will be charged with the task of plundering goals and seeing if he can take his tally to at least five in his last four matches. The Republic of Ireland attacker has stepped up to the plate in the absence of Kyogo in recent matches and is gaining some momentum. Whilst Rodgers will want the striker's hot streak in front of goal to continue there will be some more game time for compatriot Kenny who should relieve Idah of his duties around the hour mark.

With Maeda suspended for the Bayern Munich clash the Japanese winger will get the chance to crown a great personal week by seeing if he can add to the deadly double that he notched against the Dark Blues. Maeda's brace took his tally to 18 for the campaign making him the club's top goalscorer in the process. He will start on the right flank whilst Portuguese superstar Jota will continue his bid to regain full fitness by starting on the left wing.

German winger Kuhn who also got his name on the scoresheet in midweek will have to be content with a place on the bench but he will also come on and play his part as he will be needed for the massive match against his fellow countryman on Wednesday.

It's one game at a time for Celtic at the minute and the reigning holders will prove to be far too strong for the visitors. There will be no dancing in the streets of Raith after this one as Celtic will win by four clear goals at least to book a Scottish Cup quarter-final slot. 

Tony's team: SInisalo; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Schlupp, McGregor, Bernardo, McCowan, Maeda, Idah, Jota.