Fans react as Brendan Rodgers announces surprise starter in Celtic starting XI to face St Johnstone in Scottish Cup

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Brendan Rodgers has announced his Celtic staring XI to face St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup.

The Celtic manager will be keen to get off to a flying start at Hampden and book his place in the Scottish Cup final as early as possible.

With a Celtic first-team almost at full strength, Rodgers only had Hoops hero Kasper Schmeichel ruled out of today’s crucial Hampden tie.

So as the Hoops boss announced his team, Celtic fans let Rodgers know exactly what they thought of it.

• READ MORE: Watch Brendan Rodgers’ reaction to daft Rangers question in Celtic’s Scottish Cup press conference

Brendan Rodgers

The Celtic starting XI to face St Johnstone is as follows:

• Starting XI: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor (c), Hatate, Engels, Maeda, Forrest, Idah
• Substitutes: Bain, Trusty, Jota, Yang, Kuhn, McCowan, Schlupp, Bernardo, Ralston

No great surprise to see Viljami Sinisalo start and with a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor, Rodgers starts with the back four that helped Celtic destroy Kilmarnock.

Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels will marshall the Celtic midfielde with Rodgers placing faith in Adam Idah up top with Daizen Maeda on the wing alongside the surprise starter in the team lineup, James Forrest.

The Celtic legend is only just returning from injury and has less than 90 minutes of football in three appearances since his return and it has been met with a mized reaction.

Celtic fans’ mixed react to James Forrest’s Scottish Cup start vs St Johnstone

Reacting to the starting lineup, Celtic fans sent Rodgers a message as they looked ahead to the big Hampden clash:

One fan said of Adam Idah’s inclusion, “I would suggest Idah last chance.”

However, Forrest’s inclusion has surprised and delighted some Celtic fans as one said, “Jamesy Forrest goal incoming!” whilst another Celtic fan added with a hint of sarcasm, “Sinasalo, Scales, Taylor, Forrest, Idah in a semi final in 2025.”

Another Hoops supporter was over the moon with the inclusion of Forrest and said:

As another fan added, “30 year old James Forrest just what we need.”

Let’s hope the legendary winger silences his critics with another performance reminiscent to last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen where he saved the Hoops’ day.

Another goal will mean Forrest has scored in every season since he made his debut in 2009 and that is something every Celtic fan can get on board with.