Predicted Celtic XI to Play Falkirk; Changes Afoot

Celtic return to domestic action tomorrow as they welcome Scottish Championship side Falkirk to Parkhead in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

After trouncing Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League midweek, the Hoops will be looking to secure their first trip of the season to Hampden.

Brendan Rodgers has hinted at rotating his lineup going into this one, so today, we give you a predicted starting 11 for the clash with the Bairns.

Goalkeeper and Defence 

Some Celtic fans think Viljami Sinisalo might be given an opportunity tomorrow, but given he played in the last round of the League Cup, I back Kasper Schmeichel to begin between the sticks against his former club tomorrow.

Alistair Johnston missed training on Friday so the ever-dependable Anthony Ralston will come in at right-back.

At the heart of the defence, £6m man Auston Trusty should make his first Hoops start, beginning alongside Liam Scales, who will keep his place following a Man of the Match display in Europe midweek.

Finally, completing the backline, Barcelona loanee Alex Valle will make his long-awaited debut at left-back.

Midfield

Unfortunately, Luke McCowan is cup-tied and consequently ineligible to play tomorrow. This means captain Callum McGregor will continue in the middle of the park but should be withdrawn in the second half if the Celts are comfortably winning.

Arne Engels will keep his place after some standout performances against Hearts and Bratislava, but Paulo Bernardo will return to the lineup for the first time since the Glasgow derby, taking the place of Reo Hatate.

Attack

He scored off the bench on Wednesday, so Adam Idah will get the nod as Kyogo Furuhashi is handed a weekend off. Similarly, I believe Nicolas Kuhn will be rested on Sunday, with James Forrest taking his place on the right-hand side of the frontline.

There will be no changes on the left wing, though, with the electric Daizen Maeda keeping his place.

Off the bench, we could see the likes of Luis Palma, Maik Nawrocki, and Yang get some opportunities.

Although a raft of changes are expected tomorrow, Rodgers can still field a strong starting 11, which should be more than capable of booking a place in the semi-finals.