Celtic enter the Premier Sports Cup second round on Sunday, and their task is to defeat Hibernian at home following a victory at Easter Road last weekend.
With a place in the quarter-final at stake, the Bhoys will be going all-out to try and secure a smooth passage to the next phase.
Brendan Rodgers lost his one and only match in the competition against Kilmarnock last term, so expect the Irishman to pull out all the stops to ensure a repeat scenario doesn’t ensue.
Knockout football comes with a different kind of jeopardy, meaning the Hoops need to be on guard to get the job done despite the psychological advantage of taking three points in the capital just four days ago.
Looking ahead to the tie, here are three players the Celtic support will be eager to see involved this weekend.
Viljami Sinisalo could make his Celtic debut
Viljami Sinisalo joined Celtic earlier this summer from Aston Villa and featured throughout the Bhoys’ pre-season tour of the United States.
However, there is some logic that he could be rewarded with a start this weekend. Kasper Schmeichel has impressed in his opening competitive appearances between the sticks, keeping consecutive clean sheets on league duty.
Still, the Finland international has been brought in to claim the number one jersey eventually, you would think, so why not offer him a taste this weekend?
Switching goalkeepers in cup competitions is common. Sinisalo recorded 14 clean sheets in 50 appearances for Exeter City last season, so he can step up to the challenge.
Continuing his long-term development will be crucial for years to come, making it worth a thought at least when Rodgers deliberates over his starting line-up.
Paulo Bernardo’s welcome back to Celtic Park
I get the feeling some of you will call me unimaginative for this. Still, Paulo Bernardo will surely get a warm reception from the home support if he is selected to feature against Hibernian.
Completing his move back to Celtic from Benfica at the start of the month, the Portugal Under-21 international has plenty to build on following four goals and three assists in 33 outings last term.
Enjoying some notable moments, his strike against Rangers at Celtic Park and driving run at Hampden that led to Adam Idah’s Scottish Cup-winning goal stand out from his debut season at the club.
Now a permanent asset, he will be a valuable cog in Rodgers’ engine room once again. Determined to make his mark, Hibernian at home appears to be the perfect opportunity to let him orchestrate in midfield.
Adam Idah could play after finally arriving from Norwich City
Speaking of homecomings, hearing the decibel levels at Celtic Park if Idah takes to the pitch on Sunday will be interesting, to say the least.
Signing on the dotted line for an initial fee of £8.5 million that could rise to £9.5 million inclusive of add-ons, you would imagine he will be thrown straight into the action.
Now officially a Celtic player for the next five years, the Republic of Ireland international will be expected to conjure up more crucial moments following instances such as his braces against Hibernian and Motherwell and goals against Rangers at Ibrox and Hampden last term.
Despite all the speculation surrounding his future, the Bhoys have their man, and there is excitement over what he could accomplish back at the club.
Kyogo Furuhashi may start the affair, though it remains to be seen. Nevertheless, if Idah was to score on Sunday, the roof might just about come off Celtic Park.
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