Celtic have released their latest training video from Lennoxtown before Sunday’s Glasgow derby against Rangers.
The Bhoys were put through their paces on Friday morning with footage giving fans an insight into the mood of the first-team camp two days before the match.
Unfortunately, four Celtic stars missed training including top striker Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn, although both still have a chance of playing against Rangers.
Alistair Johnston and Jota were the others and Rodgers confirmed they won’t be available, with the Portuguese star to miss up to nine months with a knee injury.
Here’s what 67 Hail Hail took from the latest Celtic training video.
Kasper Schmeichel all smiles and moving well
It’s been a difficult period for Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel since his season was disrupted by a shoulder injury sustained on Denmark international duty.
Schmeichel has been out since the start of April and has missed some big Celtic games, including the St Johnstone Scottish Cup semi-final win and the Premiership title clincher against Dundee United.
But is he going to be fit enough for Rangers on Sunday? It’s likely Rodgers will not risk him and Viljami Sinisalo will keep his place, but Schmeichel is moving well in training.
Celtic footage showed him training freely with his fellow goalkeeping colleagues and having a laugh and a joke. He’s in good spirits, so you never know.
Yang Hyun-jun still in elbow cast
The training video features plenty of Celtic players, but none more so than winger Yang – the media team clearly love the 22-year-old star!
Yang, like Schmeichel, has also been spending time on the sidelines nursing an elbow problem picked up when St Johnstone beat Celtic 1-0 in the Premiership.
He is clearly able to participate in non-contact training and can be seen on numerous occasions warming up with Anthony Ralston and Paulo Bernardo with a smile on his face.
Rodgers explained Yang could be in the matchday squad for Rangers – how ready he will be remains to be seen.
Maik Nawrocki training hard despite disappointment
It’s been another tough season for defender Maik Nawrocki. He’s only featured three times in the Premiership for Celtic because it’s clear Rodgers isn’t a big fan.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and even young Dane Murray are ahead of Nawrocki in the pecking order – but he’s still giving his all at Lennoxtown.
Nawrocki can be seen at the end of the video sprinting faster than anyone else taking part in the drill, a sign he is desperate to play his part against Rangers.
And he would deserve a chance given his performance at Celtic Park last time out in the Glasgow derby despite the 3-2 defeat.
Plenty of Celtic youngsters train
It was good to see a whole host of Celtic B and academy players participating in first-team training before such a big match.
With the league title wrapped up, Celtic can afford to energise the starting XI with some fresh blood from now until the end of the season.
It’s unlikely we will see that happen on Sunday given the magnitude of the fixture, although they may be given some minutes off the bench late in the match depending on the scoreline.
The likes of Jude Bonnar, Francis Turley and Daniel Cummings have all tasted first-team action this season – it’s very likely they’ll get some more before the Scottish Cup final on May 24.
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