The full match squad is as follows:
Starting XI – Forster; Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Hayes; Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Elyounoussi; Morgan.
Substitutes – Gordon, Bitton, Johnston, Rogic, Ntcham, Bolingoli, Edouard.
Today’s match is massive and the hope was that Lennon would have his strongest team available in order to battle our city rivals.
The Ibrox side’s form this season has been good, for the most part, and we must be at our best to get the job done.
Unfortunately, Odsonne Edouard and Boli Bolingoli haven’t quite made the grade in terms of fitness, starting the fixture on the bench.
However, Mohamed Elyounoussi does return to the team.
All three have missed recent matches due to injury and although they had been training recently, doubts remained throughout the week.
Edouard’s exclusion is obviously the biggest news. He has a fantastic record against Rangers, scoring five goals in seven derby matches. Having also netted 13 times in total this term, he’d have been a key weapon today.
Hopefully he can come off the bench at some point and show his quality.
Lewis Morgan will be the man tasked with leading the attack. Can he become an unlikely cup final hero?
Elsewhere Lennon has made the call to play teenager Jeremie Frimpong at right-back in what is undoubtedly the biggest test of his fledgeling career so far.
Disappointments aside, it’s an exciting eleven and one which, on paper, should have enough to propel the Scottish champions towards victory again this afternoon.
With leaders such as Scott Brown and Callum McGregor on the pitch and Ryan Christie in such rich form, we have plenty of experience and quality available.
The selection has prompted a big response, with these fans taking to Twitter to share their thoughts ahead of kick-off this afternoon…
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