A late ankle knock to Shamal George, Matthew MacDermid’s appointment and Martin O’Neill’s plans for returning players make the Hampden semi one to watch
The build-up to the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden is gathering more storylines than simply team selection. Both sides arrive with reasons for caution: St Mirren are dealing with a goalkeeping issue after a training incident, while Celtic continue to manage a stretched injury list as Martin O’Neill looks to sharpen returning players.
Officiating has also drawn attention after the Scottish FA named the match crew, adding another tactical variable that could affect the tie.
Sunday’s fixture is not the first high-stakes meeting this season between the clubs; St Mirren edged a major Hampden contest in December to lift the Premier Sports Cup, and Celtic claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at Parkhead more recently.
Those results and fine margins make every selection and refereeing decision feel amplified as both managers piece together their best available line-ups for the national stadium clash.
St Mirren goalkeeper concern and squad options
Late in the week the Buddies reported a potential setback when first-choice stopper Shamal George suffered an ankle knock during training and had to finish his session early.
George, who is on loan from Wycombe, had earlier overcome a trapped nerve in his neck that forced a first-half substitution in the Parkhead meeting, but this new problem has placed his availability in doubt. Interim boss Craig McLeish described a careful approach: the club are taking precautions, the physio team are monitoring him and a final call will be made closer to kick-off.
Backup options and recent form
If George cannot be passed fit, McLeish will likely turn to Ryan Mullen, who impressed when introduced at Celtic Park. Mullen’s minutes for St Mirren have been limited since his move from Morton, so his sudden thrust into a Hampden semi would be notable. McLeish has expressed confidence in Mullen’s ability with the ball at his feet and his composure under pressure, but the decision exposes familiar selection risks: trust in a backup’s readiness versus the gamble of pressing a recovering No 1 into action when fitness is uncertain.
Match officials named: what to expect
The Scottish FA has appointed Matthew MacDermid as referee for the semi, with Ross Macleod and David Roome as his assistants, and Kevin Clancy overseeing VAR duties alongside Chris Graham. MacDermid has already handled several fixtures involving Celtic this season, and his prior appointments have included contentious moments — notably a dismissal for violent conduct in one high-profile match and a controversial non-awarded penalty in another. That refereeing history means both camps will pay close attention to his decisions and to how video assistant referee interventions are applied on the day.
Officials’ influence on tight ties
When two teams have been trading narrow results, as Celtic and St Mirren have this season, the referee’s interpretation of tackles and incidents often becomes decisive. Managers and supporters alike will be watching for consistency on matters such as challenges in the box and dissent management; given MacDermid’s recent high-profile calls, the pairing of on-field and VAR officials will be under scrutiny from kick-off.
Celtic’s fitness plan and returning players
Across town, Martin O’Neill is plotting a last-minute pathway to readiness for several players returning from injury. The manager has suggested arranging a short bounce game at Lennoxtown to give fringe and recovering players competitive minutes before the Hampden trip. Arne Engels made a recent return as a substitute from a thigh strain, while defenders Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are edging back from hamstring and serious tear issues respectively. Johnston has battled recurring problems that have sidelined him since August, and Osmand’s rehabilitation comes off a severe tear sustained in November.
O’Neill’s selection headache is compounded by the right-back situation: Julian Araujo’s campaign has been ended after a re-injury while away with parent club AFC Bournemouth, Colby Donovan is sidelined with a hamstring complaint for several weeks, and that leaves Anthony Ralston as the immediate available option on that flank. Longer-term absences remain notable — fan favourite Jota has not featured since his ACL setback in March 2026, and Cameron Carter-Vickers has been out since suffering an Achilles problem in October — but O’Neill is intent on managing returns carefully rather than rushing players back prematurely.
What this means for Hampden
All of the above produces a tapestry of uncertainty ahead of the semi-final: a late goalkeeper worry for St Mirren, a high-profile referee team for a closely matched tie, and a Celtic squad seeking the right blend of recovered personnel and match sharpness. Both managers must balance risk and reward when naming their matchday squads, and supporters should expect tactical caution and fine margins to decide who advances from this Hampden showdown.
