John Hartson wants Scott Bain to start for Celtic

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Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic will face Graeme Murty’s Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Cup this coming weekend.

John Hartson has written in The Glasgow Evening Times that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers should include Scott Bain in the starting lineup against Rangers this coming weekend.

The Hoops will take on Old Firm rivals Rangers at Hampden Park in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Former Celtic striker Hartson believes that Bain should start ahead of Scotland international Craig Gordon in goal for the Bhoys against the Gers.

Gordon, 35, has recovered from his injury, while 26-year-old Bain, who joined the Glasgow giants on loan from Dundee in the January transfer window, played well in his absence and performed admirably against Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership last month.

Hartson wrote in The Glasgow Evening Times: “I’m a big fan of Gordon. He’s got experience at the top level in Europe and he’s more than capable of making big saves at big moments in games. But for me, a goalkeeper has to be playing regularly, and Craig hasn’t been.

“It’s great to see Craig back and it’s great to see two good goalkeepers vying for the one spot, but I wouldn’t change it, even for such a big game.

“Bain did very well in the game at Ibrox, and you would have no worries about him handling the occasion.”

Tough selection problem

Gordon is the best goalkeeper on the books of Celtic at the moment, but Bain has done well when he has been called into action.

The Hoops would probably have not won against Rangers had the 26-year-old not made some great saves.

Perhaps Celtic manager Rodgers should go with Bain, as the former Aberdeen prospect has been playing regularly in recent weeks.