Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has been suffering from an injury. The Norwegian has struggled for game time and there had been speculation about the whereabouts of the youngster.
Speaking before Celtic’s Scottish League Cup meeting with Aberdeen, the Irishman offered some insight about Holm, confirming their had been a reason for his absence.
“We are in a really good place. Everyone is fit and healthy. We’ve only got one in Odin (Thiago Holm) who’s been out for a little while with his calves.
“Other than that, I’m really happy that we’ve managed to get through into this period now in a really healthy way. So, all fine fitness wise.”
The Norwegian youngster signed from Valerenga last summer in a deal that was seen as being one for the future. The 21-year-old has made 16 appearances for Celtic, making one assist and scoring once; however, his sending off against Feyenoord last year appeared to result in game time drying up for the player.
Rodgers commented that the player was talented but he had to do more with it and work harder at training. The manager showed the same tact with Bosun Lawal, before sanctioning a £3m move to Stoke City.
The player was omitted from the Celtic team photo but then appeared in training pictures. The likely explanation now seems to be that he was away receiving treatment, even if they could have imposed his image into the squad picture. There had been no hint regarding any issues with Holm at Celtic, it had even expected that he would’ve been loaned out if Celtic succeeded in getting Luke McCowan but nothing transpired.
Not so sure myself?
The decision of Rodgers including rocki in the 25man squad, instead of Holm possibly didn’t go down to well with Holm?
Especially as we haven’t seen him since, and first time his name has even been mentioned since that decision?
With only 5 midfield options available, and only 4 tonight, still remains a flaw within the make up of our squad imo?
The style of play that we currently play, has already had ourselves able to change games, when we have introduced 2 midfielders from the subs bench?
That hasn’t been available for ourselves tonight with McCowan cup tied, and with calmac missing for the last 2 games?
So this will be the 3rd game in a row, where only 1 midfield option is likely to be introduced into a match tonight?
Will call upon a bigger work rate, over a longer period, for our midfield players tonight, and this with calmac only returning from injury?
So wouldn’t be great for ourselves to be brought to extra time tonight for sure?
Hopefully this flaw within our squad gets addressed in January, especially as the extra freshness in midfield, could be very beneficial to ourselves, especially for Rodgers and game management?
Still didn’t make sense for ourselves to have left it so late, to actually sign McCowan, especially when the potential problem within the midfield areas existed, and the homegrown quota requirements, were in existence long before McCowan actually signed?
As for Holm, I no longer think he actually is within the plans of Rodgers, and would expect a loan move for him come January imo?