After a long winter break, Scottish football finally returns for the biggest clubs in the country this weekend and to kick things off we have the fourth round of the Scottish Cup to look forward to.
This is the round that the Scottish Premiership sides enter the competition and for Celtic represents the first barrier towards the defence of the trophy they won last season.
Another treble is on the card for Brendan Rodgers’ side this term after already successfully lifting the League Cup in November and forging ahead at the top of the league table.
It’s a monumental task for Championship side Brechin City to try and compete with the Hoops, currently sitting bottom of the table having amassed just four points in 21 matches.
Celtic can perhaps afford to use the match to give some of their fringe players a run out, especially with two Tuesday midweek fixtures to follow before the end of January.
These are THREE knocking on the door for more action that Rodgers should utilise on Saturday…
Michael Johnston
With long-term injuries to the likes of Tom Rogic, Patrick Roberts and Jonny Hayes taking their toll on Celtic’s attacking midfield options, there’s never been a better time to give young Mikey Johnston more regular first team action.
The youngster has made just one start this season, against Kilmarnock back in October, but was utilised as substitute in two late December matches just before the break.
He deserves a chance to show what he can do against Brechin and playing him allows one of Celtic’s established first team stars to focus on preparing for a vital league match against Partick Thistle on Tuesday night.
Celtic fans have been excited by the potential he’s shown in his limited appearances so far and this weekend’s Scottish Cup clash could be the platform for him to truly arrive in the Hoops and grab his first goal.
Eboue Kouassi
Celtic’s central midfield area is arguably the most competitive in the entire squad with the likes of Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham excelling this season, aided by Scotland internationals such as Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor.
With such depth, it’s been difficult for Eboue Kouassi to get regular action in a Celtic shirt, especially since his role in the team is seen as similar to Scott Brown’s – a defensive minded enforcer.
However, Brown is arguably not needed against Brechin and it could be a great opportunity to give the Ivory Coast man vital first team action.
Brendan Rodgers admitted earlier this month that he may be heading out on loan before the end of the January transfer window, recognising he needs regular football to progress, but this is an opportunity to check on his progress in a Celtic setting.
Anthony Ralston
Mikael Lustig is one of the most senior players in Brendan Rodgers’ squad and is seen as vital leader of the dressing room that helps drive Celtic forward and pick up consistent results.
However, on a personal level the Swede’s form hasn’t been fantastic this season and has undoubtedly dipped from last term when he had one of his finest seasons in a Celtic shirt.
Rodgers has persisted with selecting him through bad form and poor results, only Kieran Tierney and Craig Gordon have made more appearances than him this season.
Anthony Ralston, who has made just seven appearances this season, has found it difficult to replace Lustig but surely Brechin City is an opportunity for Rodgers to give him some game time and allow Ralston to show he can be just as effective in the right-back slot?
The youngster recently signed a new long-term contract at the club so clearly they see him as a player with significant potential, but he won’t get better without games and should be utilised more often.
