Celtic and St. Mirren are set for a high-stakes Scottish Cup semi-final rematch this Sunday, just weeks after a tight league encounter. The Hoops, in strong domestic form with four wins in their last five, will be looking to book their place at Hampden for the final, but a mounting injury crisis could test their squad depth.

While Celtic edged a 1-0 victory over the Buddies last week, this cup tie presents a different challenge. Manager Martin O’Neill faces significant defensive headaches. Key figures like goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers are out long-term, with Liam Scales suspended and both Jota and Julian Araujo sidelined for the season. Potential returns for Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are likely to come too late for a starting berth.

However, there is a silver lining in midfield. The timely return to full fitness of Arne Engels and the dynamic Reo Hatate provides a major boost, offering creativity and control in the engine room. This could be crucial in breaking down a stubborn St. Mirren side.

With these factors in mind, the predicted Celtic lineup could see Sinisalo in goal behind a patched-up defense of Ralston, Trusty, Arthur, and Saracchi. The midfield trio may feature captain McGregor alongside Nygren and the returning Hatate, supporting a forward line of Maeda, Iheanacho, and Tounekti.

The action kicks off at 2 pm BST on Sunday, April 19th, with live coverage in the UK exclusively on Premier Sports 1. It's a classic cup fixture where resilience and squad management will be just as important as talent.