Logan Bailly
Logan Bailly will get a rare chance to impress fans as Craig Gordon is suspended from last year’s semi-final. Logan Bailly has made just one appearance for Celtic against Dundee United where he didn’t look the most convincing on a few occasions.
Mikael Lustig
At right-back, Mikael Lustig will keep his place in the team, due to the defensive injuries to Saidy Janko and Dedryck Boyata. The stand-in skipper has looked much better recently going forward and can hopefully continue that at Stair Park.
Efe Ambrose
Boyata’s injury means that Efe Ambrose will start again after a solid performance last weekend against Partick Thistle. The priority for him will be to give the simple pass and not give the ball away in defensive positions that could cost Celtic a goal.
Jozo Simunovic
Alongside him, Jozo Simunovic will continue his role on the right side of the centre of defence. The Croatian has shown he can pick a pass and drive into midfield with the ball, and will need to do that on Sunday against a rigid Stranraer defence.
Kieran Tierney
In a game Celtic will hope to dominate and likely have little defending to do, I would start Kieran Tierney to help develop the attacking side of his play. We all know how solid he is defensively, but I would still like to see more of him going forward and being a threat down the left flank.
Nir Bitton
In defensive midfield, Celtic need some to control the game and keep them on top, and Nir Bitton will likely be the man designated to carry out that role. He’s suspended for next Friday’s game against Dundee United, so he might as well play on Sunday.
Callum McGregor
Alongside him, Callum McGregor should be given a starting role in the deeper lying position as he takes up good positions and can help move the ball at pace from defence to attack. He does need to find more consistency during games however, as he seems to disappear for large parts and hinder Celtic in midfield.
Gary Mackay-Steven
On the right wing, Gary Mackay-Steven should be given a chance after getting a goal and an assist against Hamilton on Monday for the development squad. The winger hasn’t got near the level of performances he put in last year and can hopefully get on the score sheet against Stranraer and build up some confidence.
Scott Allan
In the number 10 role, Scott Allan has to start. There are no excuses if he doesn’t and I would be very surprised if he didn’t start. The playmaker got an assist against Hamilton’s development squad and is long overdue a place in the starting XI.
James Forrest
James Forrest should be given a chance on the left wing and can use his pace and direct style of play to put the Stranraer defence on the back foot. With Allan pulling the strings from the number 10 role, Forrest can cause havoc for the Stranraer defence.
Leigh Griffiths
Up front Leigh Griffiths should start after recovering fully from a calf injury. His 20 goals this season have kept Celtic on target so far for a domestic treble and his pace and runs in behind the Stranraer defence could be an ideal partnership for Scott Allan in attacking areas for Celtic.
Starting XI
(4-2-3-1) Bailly; Lustig, Ambrose, Simunovic, Tierney; Bitton, McGregor; Mackay-Steven, Allan, Forrest; Griffiths
Many would have expected Aidan Nesbitt to play or even start on Sunday, however the 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes on Friday against Inverness CT in the development league. I would be very surprised if he was even on the bench as it would be a risk to one of our brightest youth prospects.
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