Celtic are back in the national mill, but how will they line up today against Hearts?
It’s back to league duties for Celtic as Brendan Rodgers looks for a second home win in four days against Hearts.
And it’s some welcome news for the boss on the injury front for a change as he welcomes Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda back into the picture. Celtic welcome the Jambos to Glasgow reeling from that defeat to Kilmarnock last time out that blew the title race wide open and know they can’t afford any more slip-ups, or risk giving Rangers some real purchase to crowbar them from top spot. But there will be a hint of a swagger after a first home Champions League win in a decade and that’s something Rodgers will be hoping to channel.
Carter-Vickers and Maeda WILL be in the squad and either of them will be a major asset, as the American defender will miss his final two games, while Maeda has not played since early November.
Assistant John Kennedy said before the game: “Either they sign up for the team, they’re good. (Liel) Abada is still in rehab, he’s probably a few weeks away, and Reo (Hatate) is a bit of him. Other than that, we’re pretty good. “
It’s not an easy task to wait for the Hoops XI on those days, given the length of the team available. Kennedy hinted at sales in January, specifically at the central defense department, to combat the bloated nature of the team and reported Saturday morning. Gustaf Lagerbielke, the hero of that Champions League win over Feyenoord, may also simply be a guy who has left the group. Could he receive his accolades in the form of an infrequent league start at the moment?Wait now, especially with the return of Carter-Vickers. . .
There has been some continuity in midfield for the Hoops of the past with Tomoki Iwata joining Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley in the engine room, however, the Japanese star was temporarily hooked to Feyenoord. There has been no update from Kennedy on his condition. , hinting that it will be fine, but it’s possible that there will be a replacement in sight either way given the congestion. The recent elections imply that Paulo Bernardo will be the preferred guy to intervene.
Porters