Celtic team news, injuries, absences and Predicted XI for Scottish Cup match vs Livingston

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Celtic host Livingston in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday hoping to book a place at Hampden for the first time this season.

The holders are red-hot favourites to progress against David Martindale’s side and continue their bid for a league and cup double.

Celtic will have several first-team absentees due to injury and suspension, giving others in the squad an opportunity to step up and shine.

Luis Palma is a doubt for the fixture after picking up a knock in training, as shared by manager Brendan Rodgers in a Friday media conference.

Hyunjun Yang is another winger who will miss out after the red card he picked up against Hearts last week. He will also be absent for the upcoming game against St Johnstone.

Elsewhere, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate remain out of contention with injuries, weakening the central midfield area.

Potential Celtic team vs Livingston

Joe Hart will retain his place in the starting eleven as he edges closer towards retirement with a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor expected in front of him.

In midfield, Tomoki Iwata and Matt O’Riley are almost guaranteed to feature as the most senior and talented players available with McGregor and Hatate out.

The third place in that central area is up for grabs. Paulo Bernardo and Odin Thiago Holm are contenders to feature but is it a day for Daniel Kelly to make his first senior start?

We know Rodgers is a big fan and without the pressure of the title race, it could be the perfect occasion to test out his starting credentials.

In attack, there’s room for Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn to feature given others being forced out.

It’s a toss-up on whether Adam Idah will be selected ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi, but even if he doesn’t start the Japanese star will be one of the first off the bench either in the striking position or on the wing.

Your Predicted XI in full is: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Iwata, O’Riley, Kelly, Kuhn, Maeda, Idah.