After the winter break was brought forward by the footballing authorities because of the current pandemic, new reports are suggesting that the postponed Glasgow Derby match that was scheduled for 2 January at Celtic Park could be moved yet again.
According to Football Scotland, due to the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers that will possibly include up to FIVE Celtic players and three Ibrox players, the SPFL may look to move the crucial Cinch Premiership match again because of the amount of players that could be on international duty on the re-arranged date of 2 February.
Celtic have just signed another three Japanese international footballers, on top of the already acquired Kyogo Furuhashi from Vissel Kobe. With Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate already included in the provisional squad for Japan’s crucial World Cup matches throughout this month and next, Celtic could be without three of their newest recruits plus Tom Rogic of Australia.
The latest Ibrox club may have three players away on international duty with Nigeria too. Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, and Leon Balogun could all be set to feature for their country at the Africa Cup of Nations which starts on Cameroon this month. Already sides in England have bemoaned the fact they will be missing key players during a hectic schedule, with some even refusing to let them play in the tournament because of the new Omicrom variant of Covid-19.
I don’t think you would hear a lot of moans and groans from either sets of supporters if the game was pushed back again. We all want these games to be like they used to, with all the passion and excitement included. We were starved last season of that, so it makes sense to ensure this next encounter is set up to be a classic. That can only happen with all the most talented players available to both managers.
On the other hand the other side of the city are bound to have a major meltdown aren’t they?
Celtic vs Rangers could be postponed AGAIN due to SPFL rule regarding international call-upshttps://t.co/E0iRWJdDTP pic.twitter.com/gzAZd8Wy6G
— Football Scotland (@Football_Scot) January 1, 2022
Paul Gillespie
