James Forrest ruled out for six weeks as Brendan Rodgers hints at Celtic missing other key stars

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Brendan Rodgers has delivered an update on his squad ahead of Celtic’s trip to face Dundee United this Sunday at Tannadice.

Last weekend, the Bhoys won an energy-sapping Premier Sports Cup final against Rangers that went all the way to penalties before Daizen Maeda’s decisive spot-kick claimed the first available silverware of the season.

Now, their focus turns back to Scottish Premiership action against a Dundee United side who haven’t lost at home since late October. Nevertheless, Jim Goodwin’s men will be keen to recover from a 4-3 defeat away to Motherwell last time out.

With Celtic holding an 11-point advantage over their title rivals, another important three points is at stake to ensure they maintain the gap heading into Christmas.

Ahead of the clash, Brendan Rodgers offered an update on how his squad is bearing up ahead of the trip to Tannadice.

Brendan Rodgers reveals James Forrest Celtic injury extent

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Rodgers revealed Celtic veteran James Forrest has been sidelined for six weeks while Alistair Johnston is a doubt for the weekend.

On the same token, he also revealed that a few minor bugs have made their way through members of the squad, but is hopeful they will clear up before the trip to Tannadice.

He stated: “James will be probably six weeks. He had a real bad blow in the game, to be fair to him, to carry on, he showed great courage to do that.

“Sadly, we’ll miss him for that length of time. Ali Johnston, we just need to have an eye on as well over these next couple of days. If he misses out this weekend, he’ll be fine for the next game, but we’ll just manage that injury that he had.

“We’ve had a few bugs and bits and pieces going about, so hopefully they can tidy themselves up over the next couple of days and we have most of our players available for the weekend.”

Celtic could be set to make changes against Dundee United

Although a week’s recovery is ample time for most, the intensity of last weekend’s cup final was bound to produce one or two knocks along the way.

Forrest hasn’t been a prominent starter for Celtic of late, but if Johnston is missing, Anthony Ralston could come into the picture for a second league start of the season.

Alex Valle, Liam Scales, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah could also enter the line-up to offer some fresh legs amid a swift turnaround between Sunday and the Bhoys’ double-header against Motherwell and St Johnstone to see out 2024.