Martin O’Neill says Kieran Tierney and Kasper Hogh are both making progress, but the Celtic pair are very unlikely to feature against St Mirren tomorrow night.
Tierney was absent for that match after failing to train in the days leading up to it, with Liam Scales starting on the left side of defence. Hogh was also missing, leaving Camilo Duran to continue through the middle after his strong start to the season.
Speaking at his Friday press conference, O’Neill offered a positive update on both players, although he made it clear the St Mirren match will come too soon.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Yeah, so, Kieran is doing fine at this minute. Really fine. I thought that he might be a wee bit longer, and he’s doing fine.
“Kasper is also on the mend as well.
“So, I think that, if not next midweek, then hopefully they’ll be ready for the game after that.”
Asked directly if both players were definitely out for tomorrow night, O’Neill replied: “I would have thought very, very unlikely for both of them.”
That leaves Celtic preparing for another game without two important options. Tierney’s absence is the more awkward issue in terms of team shape, with Scales likely to be asked to fill in again unless O’Neill makes another change on the left side of defence.
Hogh’s absence is easier to manage while Duran is in this form. The Colombian scored and assisted against Aberdeen, taking him to six goals and two assists in seven appearances since joining Celtic.
Celtic go to Paisley looking to make it five league wins from five, but O’Neill will have to do it without Tierney and Hogh unless there is a late change before the squad is named.
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