ODSONNE EDOUARD starts his first game for almost a month when he leads the Celtic attack against Aberdeen in this afternoon’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The Frenchman made a second-half appearance in the 2-2 Europa League Group H stalemate with Lille on Thursday night and boss Neil Lennon believes he is ready to go in at the kick-off against the Dons.
The Hoops go into the last-four encounter on the back of THIRTY-FOUR successive wins in knock-out competitions in the past four years-plus.
Scott Bain will keep his place in goal – as CQN reported on Friday – while £4.5million Vasilis Barkas remains on the bench.
Nir Bitton, who also came on as a substitute in France to replace the injured Kristoffer Ajer, will start in place of the Norwegian defender. Tom Rogic, who set up two of the goals in the 3-3 draw against the Dons last weekend, starts ahead of Olivier Ntcham, who is among the substitutes.
The holders are looking to book a place in the December 20 Cup Final against Hearts who overcame Hibs 2-1 in extra-time at the national stadium yesterday.
The Parkhead men are unbeaten against Derek McInnes’ in their last 10 meetings, having won eight and drawn two.
Kick-off at Hampden is 2:30 pm.
TEAM: Bain; Frimpong, Duffy, Bitton, Laxalt; Brown, Christie, Rogic, McGregor; Edouard, Edouard, Elyounoussi. Subs: Barkas, Taylor, Griffiths, Ajeti, Klimala, Soro, Turnbull, Ntcham, Elhamed.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Aberdeen this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
