Three Celtic players that deserve a chance against Falkirk including summer signing and promising youngster

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Celtic begin the defence of their Premier Sports Cup trophy with a home tie against Falkirk.

The Hoops defeated Rangers on penalties at Hampden Park to claim the trophy and Brendan Rodgers’ side will be the favourites to go all the way once again.

However, with a series of tough games coming up, it may be the perfect opportunity for the Celtic manager to rotate his squad ahead of the run of games that includes the Champions League play-off and the first Glasgow derby of the 2025/26 season.

Some of those will need minutes in their legs, while others could be given their first steps into senior football.

• READ MORE: Unique Angle catches what Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren did after Celtic goal vs Aberdeen

Three Celtic players who should feature vs Falkirk

Hayato Inamura

Hayato Inamura was labelled as a project player by Rodgers after admitting he would need time to adjust to a new style of football.

On the other hand, those that saw Inamura in pre-season were excited by what they saw and some Celtic fans called him the ‘Japanese Maldini’.

He is yet to be play a part in the first two games of the season, meaning that a cup tie against a fellow Scottish Premiership side would be a great test.

Kyle Ure

Kyle Ure is one of the most exciting talents at the Celtic academy and is clearly admired by Rodgers.

The midfielder did play in some of the pre-season fixtures, with Ure catching the eye against Queens Park.

A start may be a bit of a stretch, but even some action off the bench could be the perfect stepping stone, to experience and hand him a taste of first-team football.

Paulo Bernardo

Paulo Bernardo enjoyed a successful U21 European Championships campaign with Portugal, but that has also been his downfall.

Bernardo returned to Celtic late in pre-season and has been an unused substitute in their opening two games.

This has been while Benjamin Nygren has shone for the Hoops and his midfield partner Reo Hatate has gone under the radar.

Luke McCowan and Arne Engels have been preferred off the bench and also deserve starts against Falkirk but for Bernardo, it will mean more.

He needs to get back up to speed ahead of a busy season, and this week’s cup tie can be a good opportunity for minutes under the belt.