Celtic Injury list update: Boyata back for trip to Ibrox, Armstrong out for a month, Leigh’s season could be over

DEDRYCK BOYATA is set to return the the heart of the Celtic defence for next weekend’s trip across the city to Ibrox, where Brendan Rodgers will be looking to maintain his 100% win record there.

The big defender limped off in the first half against Kilmarnock at the beginning of the month.

Yesterday Brendan Rodgers gave an update on the injury list an revealed that the Belgian defender is set to return to face Rangers who last night reduced the gap at the top of the table to just 6 points.

With Celtic’s game tonight against Dundee in doubt that would therefore be the situation when the teams meet as it is Scottish Cup duties for both sides this weekend, with Celtic playing Morton on Saturday.

“Dedryck will probably be back after the weekend. That that will be great news,” Brendan said.

“It will be good to have him back. He’s been top class, so it would be great if he’s back for the Rangers game. He’s looking good doing his onfield work.”

Rodgers has already stated that both Paddy Roberts and Marvin Compper are in the squad for tonight, weather permitting but it’s going to be a while before either Leigh Griffiths or Stuart Armstrong are back.

For Stuart Armstrong it will be towards the end of March before he will be ready to feature.

“Stuart has stepped up the intensity of his training. Maybe over the course of the next couple of weeks he could be back in joining the group.

“But I think it’s probably going to be after the international break.”

Griffiths remains sidelined with his calf issues and Celtic want him to be pain free and then fit before he is considered ready for action. It may well be that he is given an extended rest period and told to get ready for next season.

“Leigh was seeing a specialist over his calves the other week, but even when he gets back he needs to get fit.

“It could be an extended period, really,” Brendan admitted.

Celtic By Numbers on The Celtic Star Podcast Extra: Stats Entertainment!

We are joined on this podcast extra by Alan Morrison. Alan is the man behind the Celtic By Numbers website, so as you can guess we are going to be talking stats and how they can tell the story of Celtic’s Season so far.

We discuss our drop in performance this season, the creative hole caused by injuries, why we should be singing songs for the return of Stuart Armstrong, the Scott Sinclair situation, the problems of making too many changes, the case for the defence, Simunovic v Boyata, Olivier Ntcham’s influence and importance to the team and finally we admit that Kristoffer Ajer is the new Virgil Van Dijk!

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. I would have been unsure that Boyata would have played at Ibrox if fit but my discussion on the latest podcast with Celtic By Numbers changed my opinion….