Full Breakdown
Celtic Prepares for Scottish Cup Semi-Final Against St Mirren
4/18/2026, 1:22:07 PM
Upcoming Clash at Hampden Park
Celtic is set to face St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday at Hampden Park, marking their fifth encounter this season. This match comes after Celtic's 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup Final in December, a loss that has heightened the stakes for the defending champions as they aim to secure a league and cup double. Celtic recently edged past St Mirren with a narrow 1-0 victory in the Premiership, but the Buddies demonstrated resilience, particularly in the second half, which could bolster their confidence heading into the semi-final.
Injury Updates and Team News
Celtic will be without several key players due to injuries and suspensions. Liam Scales is suspended after accumulating yellow cards, while Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are doubtful for the match. Johnston has been in training but is not expected to return in time, and Osmand is recovering from hamstring surgery. Other notable absences include Kasper Schmeichel, Jota, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, all of whom are sidelined for the remainder of the season due to various injuries.
St Mirren also faces challenges with injuries. Shamal George is a major doubt after suffering a neck injury and an ankle knock, while Keanu Baccus is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. Colby Donovan, Malik Dijksteel, and Marcus Fraser will also miss the match due to injuries.
Martin O’Neill's Perspective
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill expressed optimism about his team's chances, emphasizing the importance of playing with "more freedom" in the semi-final. He acknowledged the psychological impact of their previous loss to St Mirren and hopes to motivate his players to seek redemption. O'Neill praised St Mirren's recent performance and the management of Stephen Robinson, noting that they have adapted well and are a formidable opponent.
In a media conference, O’Neill reflected on the significance of the Scottish Cup, stating, “It’s a great competition. It’s got a lot of history. And, yeah, I just like to be part of it.” He also mentioned that winning this match could have a positive effect on the remainder of the season.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite O’Neill's confidence, there are concerns regarding Celtic's recent performances, particularly their struggle to maintain energy levels in matches. Critics argue that the team must improve their consistency to avoid another upset against St Mirren.
What's Next
The winner of the semi-final will advance to the Scottish Cup Final, where they will face either Dunfermline Athletic or Falkirk. This match represents a critical opportunity for Celtic to reclaim their standing in Scottish football and secure a trophy for the season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But we’ll get it back, honestly we will. We’ll be stronger for the semi-final and we’ll get going again. I was just disappointed in that, but not in the result, which is everything. I think we can play with a bit more freedom than we did today.” — Martin O’Neill, Celtic Manager
- “They’ll obviously take great confidence from the fact that they won recently, played very well last week against us.” — Martin O’Neill, Celtic Manager
- “Loved it. Loved the competition. I know I’ve said this ad nauseum to the lads here about when the only game that was ever live on TV was the FA Cup final. You’d be getting moments of the Scottish Cup final. I’m talking about when I was growing up as a kid. Not that I ever thought that I’d be participating in it. But, yeah, it’s a great competition. It’s got a lot of history. And, yeah, I just like to be part of it.” — Martin O’Neill, Celtic Manager
- “Yeah, I think so. Yeah, that’s right. If we can win the game, it definitely would have a positive effect. No question about that. Similarly, and quite the opposite, I suppose, really, it could have a poor effect on us. But we’re going all out to try and win the game.” — Martin O’Neill, Celtic Manager
