Kenny Dalglish reckons Celtic will pile derby misery onto rivals; Kyogo starting prediction

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Kenny Dalglish reckons it’ll be a win for Celtic this afternoon against Rangers in the Scottish Cup.

Celtic have beaten Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in the last two meetings and face off again today for the chance to play Hearts in a May final.

Dalglish, like all of us, was left stunned by the Bhoys’ performance at home to St Johnstone last week and reckons a week of rest after that one sets them up for a big result today.

Writing in his Sunday Post column, he said of that display and the Hampden clash: “Some of the play produced by the Hoops was exhilarating. Ange Postecoglou must have been thrilled as the goals went in.

“There was also the added bonus of Kyogo Furuhashi coming back from injury, and getting some minutes under his belt. It looks as though the Japanese player is going to start.

“He has been brilliant. Indeed, his fellow countrymen, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, have also been out of the top drawer. They have lit up the Celtic team even more, and credit to the manager for identifying them, and for the Hoops hierarchy for backing his judgment.

“So it is all set up for an absolute cracker at the National Stadium, and we could all be in for a treat. With Celtic having a full week to prepare and Rangers going into extra-time on Thursday, that could all be crucial in the outcome.

“That’s part of the reason why I fancy my old club to come out on top today. They have beaten Rangers in the last two Old Firm games, and they seem to be able to find a way in this fixture.”

For as much as they’ve enjoyed their European adventures, a third successive Celtic derby win really would burst their bubble and pile on the misery.

More importantly, it would put the Bhoys on the brink of a treble achievement – something absolutely nobody thought would happen in Ange Postecoglou’s first season.

Dalglish’s Kyogo prediction is also interesting. We didn’t go for the Japanese forward in our site predicted starting eleven this morning, though perhaps the Celtic legend has read something into Postecoglou’s pre-match comments.

Either way, our Japanese hero is primed to have an impact today even if it’s off the bench. The countdown to the team news is on!

In other news, Ange Postecoglou explains last-minute Celtic preparations for Hampden clash.