Watch Full Media Conference: ‘We’ve got Dedryck training today,’ Davies on Boyata

CELTIC Assistant Manager Chris Davies took the press conference at Lennoxtown today and gave among other things, an update on the injury situation – is it a crisis yet?, no probably not – but it is still pretty severe.

It looks like Lustig and Edouard are out for the game against Hibs on Wednesday and James Forrest is definitely out. It’s going to be too soon for Olivier Ntcham who trained today alongside Dedryck Boyata and the Belgian looks like playing, although Davies mentioned Nir Bitton and Jack Hendry as other contenders for the defensive slot alongside Jozo Simunovic with Kris Ajer suspended.

KT trained but not with the squad, he’s at an early stage of getting back to full fitness and had his own programme today.

“KT was training on his own today, and he is building his rehab steadily. Ntcham trained, Boyata trained. Dedryck is probably closer than Olivier, because Olivier has been out for longer, but we’ll see how they react with the training. That’s their first time back training with the group.

“Odsonne Edouard had a bad knock yesterday, and we’ll see how he feels. He’s taken a sore one, but he’ll be doubtful for Hibernian. We’ll see how Mikael Lustig is – he’s got an Achilles issue. He’ll probably be a doubt, but we’ll see how he does.”

“James Forrest is having a scan on his hamstring,” Davies said.

“It’s nothing we hope is too severe, and he felt it after the goal on Sunday. He did the right thing identifying it. He could have played on and potentially made it worse, but he didn’t. He could be out for a period of time, but hopefully not too long.

“We can put out a team that’s going to be a good team of quality players, and we’ll be able to cope, no problem. Nir Bitton can play centre-half, we’ve got Jack Hendry, we’ve got Dedryck training today. We have to look at everything, look at our options, look at what system we want to play. We’ll have to asses it over the next 24 hours, and then decide on what team we want to play on Wednesday.

“It’s as stretched as it’s been. We’ve got a good team of injuries and suspensions – 4-4-2, we could fit them all in. But a few of those players are coming back in. Kieran is building up his rehab steadily, and there are a few others who are getting close.

“It’s rare to have so many injuries, but that’s part of football and we do have a strength in depth in this squad. It’s very important to have that, and at Celtic we do have that.”

How does this all add up to putting team for Wednesday?

Bain

Toljan Boyata Simunovic Izaguirre

Brown McGregor

Weah Christie Sinclair

Burke

The bench is going to be weaker than usual with Gordon, Hayes, Johnston, Bitton, Hendry, Henderson…

Davies was also asked about the refereeing crisis – is this a crisis, surely it is – but unlike the admirable Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock, the Celtic Assistant boss followed the party line that Brendan has already stated, full time referees, VAR and so on.

Predictably disappointing from Celtic Fc…

Here is the full press conference, make your own mind up.

Oli Burke also spoke to the media today and this was covered earlier on The Celtic Star, see below.

‘I’m happy here and enjoying my football, and long may it continue,’ Oli Burke

Watch Oli’s press conference below.

Also on The Celtic Star…

Celtic Injuries – ‘Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations,’ Niall J

Sandman’s Ratings: Celtic v Groundhog Day

The Valencia file (Part 4) – A linesman’s flag prevents Celtic playing a European final at Hampden

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

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