BRENDAN RODGERS has added defenders Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig to his Celtic squad for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.
The double-act missed the 2-2 draw at Ross County last weekend, but will be in contention for a start as the Hoops aim to take another step towards their fourth domestic treble in the club’s history.
Belgian international Boyata could line up alongside Jozo Simunovic in the heart of the rearguard with Erik Sviatchenko dropping onto the subs’ bench, which would of course illustrate that the weird habit of the new Sevco Rangers manager makes him look rather silly.
Swedish star Lustig will almost certainly take up his favoured position at right-back against the five year old Ibrox outfit.
The Parkhead men have won three and drawn one of this season’s games against the Light Blues, but boss Rodgers says his side are only thinking about this encounter.
He said: “It’s a new game for us and we will gear up for it like we did the previous four and we will be prepared well.”
Ibrox gaffer Pedro Caixinha, who could be without keeper Wes Foderingham who has a neck strain injury picked up in training yesterday, is definitely going into the semi-final without Clint Hill. The veteran defender has missed the last three matches due to a calf injury and is OUT of the semi-final.
In the absence of Hill and Rob Kiernan, young David Bates and teenage full-back Myles Beerman will be deputising.
The team have yet to taste defeat in five matches under the Portuguese coach and have not conceded in their last three outings.
Out in the cold Michael O’Halloran is also available after serving a club suspension for missing an Under-20s fixture.
Barry McKay who was substituted at half time last week against Patrick Thistle due to poor form is unlikely to start for the Ibrox side.
