Adamu or Cvancara, or maybe even Iheanacho, why not two of the three? We need all the firepower we can muster…
Maximilian Mittelstaedt of VfB Stuttgart challenges Junior Adamu of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
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Whilst we face something of a shortage of options at the back for tomorrow’s vital clash at Ibrox, we have numerous choices at our disposal an attacking sense, mainly in the centre forward position.
Tomas Cvancara in action at Tynecastle. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.
Tomas Cvancara is clearly the likely candidate to start, due to his physique and all round ability to play through the middle, and more importantly Martin seems to regard him highly. Something that’s not surprising as the veteran Irishman likes to utilise a big target man in his sides, something he’s done throughout his managerial career.
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26.02.2026, UEFA Europa League, VfB Stuttgart Celtic Glasgow v l Maximilian Mittelstädt VFB Stuttgart, 7 expects Kelechi Iheanacho Celtic FC, photo IMAGO.
But we also have the likes of Junior Adamu and Kelechi Iheanacho raring to go, players who would complement the ability of Czech international Cvancara, so Martin O’Neill is rather spoilt for choice in that department.
Daizen Maeda can of course also operate through the middle, but the Japanese is a cert to start on the wing given the work rate and experience he provides in this fixture.
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Viljami Sinisalo and Daizen Maeda of Celtic FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
Both Adamu and Iheanacho can operate anywhere across the frontline, and are no strangers to putting the ball in the net, so utilising one or the other up front with big Tam, would give us a more than potent goal threat against theRangers defence who are far from watertight.
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Creating opportunities has not been our problem of late, it’s finishing them that’s been the issue. We will create chances at Ibrox, that’s not in doubt, we just need to be clinical with any that come our way, and having players on the park who can put the ball in the net, will give us a fighting chance of getting the three points out of the game.
Tommy Gemmell statue unveiling at the Lisbon Lion’s hometown of Craigneuk. 28 February 2026. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou
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Will Martin O’Neill decide to go with one of his other more recognised front men? I suppose we’ll find out when the teams are announced tomorrow morning at around 10.45am.
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
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