Celtic fans have been left sweating over the availability of several key players ahead of Sunday’s trip to Ibrox, after Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Jota and Alistair Johnston were all absent from first-team training this week. [SkySports]
With the final Glasgow Derby of the season just days away, the sight of four attacking threats missing from the Lennoxtown session has raised questions over their fitness status. The champions head to Ibrox having already secured the title, but with a treble still on the line and pride always at stake, Brendan Rodgers will be eager to field his strongest side against their city rivals.
CeltsAreHere will be in attendance at Friday’s pre-match press conference, where Rodgers is expected to address the situation. At this stage, whether the quartet were left out due to precautionary rest or fresh injury concerns has emerged remains unclear. Supporters will be hoping it’s the former, with the squad potentially being managed carefully following last weekend’s title-clinching win at Dundee United.
Maeda and Kuhn have been key figures, with the German winger in particular coming back to form while Daizen has been consistently excellent. Johnston, a mainstay at right-back, has brought consistency and physicality to the back line. Jota left Tannadice in crutches at the weekend with fans expecting him to miss the trip to Ibrox.
Rodgers will provide clarity today, but the absence of these four at this stage in the week is far from ideal. With Rangers looking to salvage pride in front of their support, Celtic will need to be sharp from the off. Who lines up on Sunday may come down to what’s revealed behind the microphone at Lennoxtown on Friday.
