Celtic duo seem ready to return against Rangers on March 31st

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Celtic duo Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham look set to return to the squad to face Rangers.

Interim manager Neil Lennon confirmed to Celtic TV that a plan is in place to get their fitness up to speed. This apparently involved a bounce game for both to get involved in.

Rogic came back from international duty in January with an injury. He hasn’t featured for Celtic since the winter break. It’s clear that the Hoops have missed him, with a lack of attacking threat in recent matches.

Ntcham has also had something of an ongoing hamstring issue in recent weeks. He hasn’t been seen since the 1-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox back in December.

But Lennon confirmed that there’s a plan in motion for both men to be fit. Speaking to Celtic TV, Lennon said the following:

“They’re good, they’re training today. They’ll all be out on the grass today doing a little bit.

“That’s just an increase in their work now going into a bounce game on Friday behind closed doors where they can get some minutes into their legs and hopefully they’ll be declared fit for the game in a couple of weeks.

Looks more than good

This doesn’t look like it’s going to be much of a close call. With both men back doing training a full 10 days before the Rangers match, they should be more than ready come the 31st.

The bounce game set for tomorrow is also a smart idea. Lennon is clearly doing all he can to make sure both Rogic and Ntcham can go right into the squad. But, even at this stage, it already seems as though they’re in an advanced stage of their recovery.

If they weren’t fit for the Rangers match, it would be a huge surprise, and likely would mean a knock was picked up in the bounce game.

The big question is whether either will start. Considering the lack of creativity in that number 10 position, you have to imagine Rogic could be thrown in if fit. He was something of a talisman in this fixture last season, bagging three goals.

Of course, Olivier Ntcham actually netted the winner the last time Rangers visited Parkhead. The return of Callum McGregor, however, looks like placing Ntcham on the bench for now.

Whatever Lennon goes for, it’s quite clear both men will certainly be fit for next Sunday barring any fresh disasters.