CELTIC have four players returning from injury and available to play as the club enters an intensive schedule of games across three competitions between Saturday – with the trip to Hamilton and the game at Ibrox on 29 December, which we have written about HERE.
ONE! Kieran Tierney has recovered from his hamstring issue which prevented him appearing for Scotland and is available for the trip to Hamilton.
“I’ve been back training the last few days and feeling better,” KT said at today’s press conference aead of the Hamilton game. The left back is delighted to be fit, although a little bit frustrated at missing the two Scotland wins, which he described as “Two great results for Scotland. I’m buzzing for everyone.”
On Saturday’s trip to South Lanarkshire, KT reckons it will be a hard game on the difficult, plastic surface.
“Hamilton always make it tough. But we will prepare for the pitch and do our analysis work.
“You need an extra day to recover from an AstroTurf game, including ice baths, so we will do that.
“I’m fine to play on any surface. My injury could have happened on a grass surface too,” KT stated.
TWO! Scott Brown is also fit and the skipper will be desperate to get back into action after being absent for the past three weeks.
THREE! Leigh Griffiths has also returned to training and according to the manager is looking sharp. His return to action could be vital given the number of games coming up.
AND FOUR! And as we reported the other day, Nir Bitton is now available for selection and is targeting a place in the first team match day squad as soon as possible. For the Israeli, it will be emotional to be back after a nine month lay-off due to his knee injury.
The Celtic manager confirmed the return of the captain and the good news didn’t stop there as he confirmed that Griffiths and Bitton were also available for selection.
“Browny is back training as is Leigh Griffiths,” Brendan revealed. “He’s looking fit and working hard. Great having Nir back too. It’s like having a new player.”
The Celtic manager was also delighted with the goalscoring exploits of James Forrest and he was at Hampden the other night to see the hat-trick for himself.
“For James to get five goals in the two games was thoroughly deserved. We’ve tried to get James into the box more because that’s his job; to create goals and score goals. He’s getting better and better. A wonderful technician,” Brendan noted.
“I’m just glad James is getting the recognition for the quality he has.”
The manager, who told a shareholder to ‘chill’ yesterday at the AGM when he spoke about his concern at the number important away games in the league – we got to Easter Road, Pittodrie and Ibrox before the end of the year, admitted that his players can;t wait for the punishing schedule of 11 games to get underway.
“We’ve got 11 games between now and the end of December but it’s what the players want,” he said.
Also on The Celtic Star today…
There’s a Star Man playing on the Right, his name is Jamesy Forrest and he really Dynamite…See HERE.
‘Browny?’ “He loves it here, he’s been top class and we want him to stay,” Brendan…See HERE.
Celtic’s Four Back – Rodgers breaks the news then raves about ‘a wonderful technician’…See HERE.
Date, 29 December 2018. Destination, Ibrox. Objective, Engage and Destroy the Enemy…See HERE.
‘Brattbakk triggered off the greatest party the Celtic support had enjoyed for many years,’ David Potter…See HERE.
‘I’ve got a purpose and I can make an impact at Celtic,’ Christie…See HERE.
Res 12 Update! Questions for The Celtic Board, next step City of London Police…See HERE.
Jim Craig – Celtic v Port Glasgow Athletic…See HERE.
