Celtic star times his Scottish Cup Final run too late as Brendan Rodgers’ XI picks itself – Parkhead analysis

Luis Palma got his movement bang on to win the game for Celtic on Premiership trophy day.

But when it comes to Brendan Rodgers' big decisions for the Scottish Cup Final, the Honduran's run has surely been timed too late. And the same goes for other lesser-sighted stars who were handed the opportunity to savour the final hurrah in the title term. Barring injury, many Celtic fans believe they know the team for the Hampden showdown with Rangers even before Rodgers selects it.

In their eyes, it picks itself. You'd have to imagine it's the same for the boss. The starting side that put Rangers' fleeting last league challenge to bed nine days ago and swept aside Kilmarnock to clinch the flag is long odds-on to be the choice. Of course, nothing is ever cast in stone in football. With training sessions and five days to go before the showpiece at the National Stadium, injuries and illness can always force a change of thinking.

When the team sheets landed prior to the weekend win over St Mirren, it was clear Rodgers was in the midst of a balancing act. Aspects included resting some, maintaining the flow within the performance of others and getting valuable game-time into more. Clearly, given the fact injuries had meant the trio had only played seven previous Premiership matches this season, the importance of keeping continuity and rhythm with the midfield was high in the thinking.

Callum McGregor is building his way back to full speed and, given he's the leader, he wasn't going to miss out. Rodgers also went again with Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatate. That plan worked. McGregor did his usual, O'Riley scored the first equaliser of the match and helped make the winner for Palma, while Hatate was also in the thick of it, setting up