Celtic manager Martin O’Neill opted for significant rotation to secure a 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone, ahead of Sunday’s cup quarter-final against Rangers.
O’Neill left Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Kieran Tierney on the bench at McDiarmid Park, while Cameron Carter-Vickers was omitted entirely due to stiffness.
The tactical reshuffle afforded debutant goalkeeper Sam Johnstone an opportunity to produce a crucial first-half save against Joel Cotterill.
Summer arrival Mika Baur subsequently capitalised on the adjustments, converting a 52nd-minute breakthrough from close range to register his first goal since arriving from Paderborn.
Depleted Squad Restricts Derek McInnes
Over at Ibrox, Rangers required a last-gasp Bojan Miovski winner to overcome St Mirren.
Derek McInnes is navigating his own selection issues after losing captain Lawrence Shankland and Daisuke Yokota for two to three months with a hamstring tear and groin tear, respectively, joining Youssef Chermiti on the long-term absentee list.
This escalating injury toll forces a rapid attack redesign, leaving the Ibrox manager unable to rest his senior starters during a congested schedule.
The demanding midweek fixture served as a direct tactical trial that heavily taxed the remaining first-team squad.
Celtic will now travel to Ibrox Stadium on Sunday for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, holding a significantly fresher starting lineup.
Will it matter?
A partisan 50,000-capacity crowd at Ibrox will have something to say about that.
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