Celtic head into the weekend’s action against Livingston top of the Scottish Premiership but there is little room for error as the title race heats up.
Second-placed Rangers are just two points behind having banked a victory from one of their games in hand mid-week, also holding another. The Bhoys undoubtedly need to string together consistent league results.
Saturday’s 3pm kick-off against Livingston is crucial and three points must be delivered from the team available to Brendan Rodgers.
There are no major returns from injury to speak of with Liel Abada still out and being observed on a day-to-day basis, while midfielder Reo Hatate is a while away from full training with the group.
Rodgers confirmed in a media conference today that Hyunjun Yang returns to contention after missing out on matches against Feyenoord and Hearts with a shoulder injury.
However, midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has been ruled out following illness, having only returned to training on Friday.
Thankfully there are no fresh concerns, and Daizen Maeda is closing in on his first start for six weeks after returning off the bench last time out.
Brendan Rodgers relishing Daizen Maeda return vs Livingston
Maeda has been a big miss in the attack, with Celtic notably lacking the same energy and urgency without the Japanese international.
Asked about his return today, Rodgers said [Celtic YouTube]: “He’s been fantastic in his time here. Maybe he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. It’s only sometimes when that player is out of the team what is missed.
“From a coaching and managing perspective, we understand what he brings to the team. It’s non-stop energy and running and the quality. What he brings, it will be great to have that back.”
Meanwhile, it seems that Tomoki Iwata will remain absent. He limped out of the match against Feyenoord and missed the defeat to Hearts.
Rodgers didn’t specifically reference him at the media conference but did suggest Yang was the only player returning to the squad.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers gets detailed as he addresses potential for Celtic formation change.
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