Strachan gambles on strikers for final

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has left misfiring strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras on the bench and handed Glenn Loovens a surprise starting spot for today’s Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

Rangers striker Kris Boyd is also on the bench following his midweek dressing-down from Walter Smith, who is without the injured Madjid Bougherra.

Scott McDonald has been given a lone striking role for Celtic – with Gary Caldwell moving into midfield alongside Paul Hartley, who replaced Marc Crosas.

Vennegoor of Hesselink and Samaras pay the price for not scoring in their combined previous 25 games.

Kirk Broadfoot has overcome a foot injury to move into the Rangers central defence, after Bougherra was ruled out with a calf problem.

Kyle Lafferty retains his place, while Lee McCulloch comes in for Spanish winger Aaron Niguez.

Boyd, whose response on being left out against Hamilton last week had angered Smith, is joined on the Rangers bench by the fit-again Nacho Novo.

Mark Wilson is among the Celtic substitutes after a two-month lay-off with a groin injury.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Loovens, McManus, O’Dea, Caldwell, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Hartley, McGeady, McDonald.

Subs: Mark Brown, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Samaras, Crosas, Wilson.

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Broadfoot, Papac, Davis, McCulloch, Ferguson, Mendes, Miller, Lafferty.

Subs: Alexander, Edu, Boyd, Novo, Dailly.

Referee: D McDonald (Scotland).