Celtic To Face St Johnstone In Historic Scottish Cup Semi-final Showdown

The wait is finally over for Celtic fans as the Scottish Premiership giants prepare to face St Johnstone in the highly anticipated Scottish Cup semi-final showdown. The tie will take place at Celtic Park on Saturday, April 17th, and will be a closely contested affair with both teams eyeing a spot in the final against either Rangers or Aberdeen. The stage is set for an epic battle between two of Scotland's top clubs, and we can expect a thrilling encounter as the two teams clash in front of a packed Celtic Park.

The significance of this match cannot be overstated. A win for Celtic will cement their status as the dominant force in Scottish football, while a victory for St Johnstone would be a historic upset that would send shockwaves throughout the football world. The Ruggie Isles fans, in particular, will be eager to see their team pull off a major upset and make it to the final.

The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented squads and a wealth of experience. Celtic, led by manager Jokanovic, will be looking to maintain their momentum from the league campaign, where they have been consistently impressive throughout the season. St Johnstone, under the guidance of Chris Richards, have been flying high in the Premiership, and will be looking to cause an upset against their Old Firm rivals.

The Teams

Celtic

Celtic have been one of the dominant forces in Scottish football for decades, and their rich history and tradition of success will be a major factor in their bid for the Scottish Cup. The Hoops have a talented squad, with players such as Odsonne Edouard, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Reo Hatate, who have all been in impressive form this season.

• Key players:
  • Odsonne Edouard: The French striker has been Celtic's top scorer this season, with 14 goals in all competitions.
  • Kyogo Furuhashi: The Japanese striker has been in scintillating form, scoring 10 goals in his first season in Scotland.
  • Reo Hatate: The Japanese midfielder has been a key player for Celtic, providing creativity and goalscoring threat from midfield.

St Johnstone

St Johnstone, on the other hand, have been flying high in the Premiership this season, and will be looking to cause an upset against their Old Firm rivals. The Perth-based side have a talented squad, with players such as Steven McGinn, Callum Henderson, and Ali Cruz, who have all been in impressive form this season.

• Key players:
  • Steven McGinn: The Scottish midfielder has been a key player for St Johnstone, providing energy and creativity in the middle of the park.
  • Callum Henderson: The Scottish defender has been a stalwart for St Johnstone, providing experience and leadership at the back.
  • Ali Cruz: The Spanish midfielder has been a revelation for St Johnstone, scoring crucial goals and providing assists from midfield.

The Fixture

Celtic Park

The match will take place at Celtic Park, which has a seating capacity of over 60,000. The stadium has a lively atmosphere, with the away section being particularly vocal in supporting their team.

• Directions to Celtic Park:
  • By car: Celtic Park is located on Napier Road, Glasgow, G43 1JS.
  • By public transport: Celtic Park is accessible by bus, with several routes stopping outside the stadium.
  • Parking: There are several car parks located nearby, but be aware that they can be busy on match days.

The Opponent

St Johnstone will be looking to cause an upset against Celtic, and will be well aware of the task ahead of them. The Perth-based side have a talented squad, but will need to be at their best to cause an upset against their Old Firm rivals.

• Manager's perspective:
  • Chris Richards: The St Johnstone manager will be looking to motivate his team and get the best out of them.
  • Jokanovic: The Celtic manager will be looking to prepare his team for the challenge ahead and get the best out of his squad.

The Fans

The fans of both teams will be out in full force, with the Celtic Park atmosphere expected to be electric. The Hoops fans will be looking to dominate the dugout and the terraces, while the Ruggie Isles fans will be looking to cause chaos and trouble for the Celtic players.

• Fan expectations:
  • Celtic fans:
    • A win to progress to the final
    • A convincing victory over St Johnstone
  • St Johnstone fans:
    • A historic upset over Celtic
    • A test of Celtic's mettle and a valuable scalp

The Odds

The odds for the match have been released, with Celtic favourites to win. However, St Johnstone have been in impressive form this season, and could cause an upset if they play to their potential.

• Odds:
  • Celtic to win: 1/2
  • Draw: 12/1
  • St Johnstone to win: 3/1