Brendan Rodgers today confirmed that Nat Phillips is in contention to be part of the squad to face Motherwell at Fir Park this Saturday. The Englishman of course only played 45 minutes of the game against Dundee but had to go off injured after rolling his ankle.
Celtic Training Session – Lennoxtown Training Ground – Friday 1st September Celtic s Nat Phillips centre with team mates during a training session. Friday September 1, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan
He has been missing since, but Brendan has indicated that he could play a part against Motherwell and the Celtic manager is confident that the central defender’s his ankle should now be fine. That’s great news with the Lazio game less than a week away. With Gustav Lagerbielke suspended that leaves only Tomoki Iwata as the only option to slot alongside Liam Scales.
Hopefully Nat gets some minutes under his belt at Fir Park and is raring to go against the Serie A side. Indeed if he’s ready Brendan might decide to give Phillips and Scales the opportunity to play alongside each other at Fir Park with the Champions League match against Lazio on Wednesday night in mind. It would be hard luck for Lagerbielke, who has hardly put a foot wrong in Scottish Premiership action, but doing all we can to prepare for Lazio is more important.
Celtic’s Nat Phillips has training with the squad. Photo Andrew Milligan
We need someone of his stature at the back against a side who have decent firepower and will test us to the limit. Nat will naturally be a bit rusty so getting some game time into his legs will do him the world of good as he looks as if he will be a definite starter at Celtic Park on Wednesday night, provided his angle is indeed good to go.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Meanwhile Thursday 19 October is going to be a very special day for The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, so please save the date…He’s got no hair but we don’t care!
John Hartson will be The Celtic Star’s guest of honour at the Kerrydale Suite on Thursday 19th October as we officially launch Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan. Ticket details coming soon. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)