Celtic will face Kairat Almaty in the biggest game of the season this evening.
Brendan Rodgers will be looking to negotiate this tricky tie as he looks to guide Celtic to a win against Kairat in Kazakhstan.
After the Hoops drew 0-0 in the first leg of the Champions League play-off, Rodgers will be keen to put all that criticism to the wall by qualifying for UEFA’s elite competition.
Nothing but a will do tonight and here is Born Celtic’s predicted starting XI as Rodgers goes gung-ho for the win.
Daizen Maeda leads Celtic’s attack vs Kairat Almaty
There has been a lengthy discussion over the last few weeks on who should lead Celtic’s attack between Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah this season.
Idah is struggling for form (and fitness) and in our view, the Celtic manager is going to start with the Japanese speed demon leading the Hoops attack
Our Celtic starting XI vs Kairat is as follows: Schmeichel, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, Hatate, McGregor (c), Engels, Forrest, Nygren, Maeda.
Engels returns to the starting lineup with Nygren taking up the role that helped Celtic dismantle Livingston at the weekend.
The backline picks itself with Ralston taking over from the injured Alistair Johnston and, as ever, Schmeichel is the rock at the base of the Celtic defence.
A one-goal win will do it and that is a scoreline every single Celtic supporter will take. But with this lineup, we believe that Rodgers’ team could win this tie by a couple of goals.
QUIZ: Celtic’s Biggest Wins Over Rangers
Test your knowledge on some of Celtic’s most famous victories over Rangers. Find out if you know your history!
1. What is Celtic’s biggest ever victory over Rangers?
- a) 5-0
- b) 6-2
- c) 7-1
- d) 4-0
Correct Answer: c) 7-1
The 7-1 win is a historic result and is Celtic’s largest margin of victory against their rivals. It is also a record for a British domestic cup final.
2. In which competition did Celtic secure their historic 7-1 win over Rangers?
- a) Scottish Cup Final
- b) Scottish League Cup Final
- c) Scottish Premier League
- d) Friendly match
Correct Answer: b) Scottish League Cup Final
This famous match took place in the final of the Scottish League Cup.
3. In what year did Celtic achieve their 7-1 victory over Rangers?
- a) 1967
- b) 1957
- c) 1971
- d) 1988
Correct Answer: b) 1957
The match, famously known as “Hampden in the Sun,” was played on October 19, 1957.
4. Which player scored a hat-trick for Celtic in the 7-1 demolition of Rangers?
- a) Billy McPhail
- b) Sammy Wilson
- c) Bobby Collins
- d) Willie Fernie
Correct Answer: a) Billy McPhail
Billy McPhail scored three goals for Celtic, all with his head.
5. What was the nickname given to the 7-1 match by Celtic supporters?
- b) Hampden in the Sun
- a) The Demolition Derby
- c) The Thrashing at Ibrox
- d) The Glorious Final
Correct Answer: b) Hampden in the Sun
The phrase “Hampden in the Sun” was coined by Celtic fans and is the title of a popular terrace song about the game.
6. In a famous 2000 league match, Celtic defeated Rangers 6-2. Who was the Celtic manager at the time?
- a) Neil Lennon
- b) Brendan Rodgers
- c) Martin O’Neill
- d) Gordon Strachan
Correct Answer: c) Martin O’Neill
Martin O’Neill led Celtic to this dominant victory in his first Old Firm match as manager.
7. Which Celtic legend scored a memorable chipped goal in the 6-2 victory in 2000?
- a) Henrik Larsson
- b) Chris Sutton
- c) Paul Lambert
- d) Lubomir Moravcik
Correct Answer: a) Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson scored two goals in the match, but his beautifully chipped goal over the goalkeeper, Stefan Klos, is particularly remembered by fans.
8. What was the score when Celtic clinched the league title with a convincing home victory over Rangers in 2018?
- a) 4-0
- b) 5-0
- c) 3-0
- d) 6-1
Correct Answer: b) 5-0
Celtic won the game 5-0 at Celtic Park to secure their seventh consecutive league title under manager Brendan Rodgers.
9. Who scored twice in Celtic’s 5-0 win over Rangers in 2018?
- a) Moussa Dembele
- b) Olivier Ntcham
- c) Odsonne Edouard
- d) James Forrest
Correct Answer: c) Odsonne Edouard
French striker Odsonne Edouard scored two goals, while James Forrest, Tom Rogic, and Callum McGregor also scored.
10. In the 2017 Scottish Cup Semi-Final, what was the score when Celtic thrashed Rangers to reach the final?
- a) 5-0
- b) 4-0
- c) 3-0
- d) 2-0
Correct Answer: b) 4-0
Celtic won this match 4-0 at Hampden Park, with goals from Callum McGregor, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Sinclair, and a late strike from Moussa Dembele.
You have finished the quiz!
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