Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has shared that both Tom Rogic and Daizen Maeda will return to the club on Wednesday, the day of the match against Rangers.
However, it’s not the time it takes for them to get to Glasgow this week that is the issue for the Bhoys boss, more how many minutes they get for their respective countries the day before.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland after today’s dramatic match at Celtic Park, Postecoglou said: “Well I think they get back on the day of the game, irrespective of my desire to find a supersonic vehicle to get them here in record time.
“A lot of it will actually depend on whether they play or not. If they play the day before it’s impossible for them to play on the night against Rangers. But if they’re not involved there’s an opportunity to get them back.
“We’ll look at that later in the week.”
So, all eyes on Japan and Australia’s upcoming matches then.
Maeda’s team play Saudi Arabia on February 1st, which will finish at 12pm our time. He only featured off the bench against China last time out so there’s a chance he won’t be heavily involved.
Rogic and Australia, meanwhile, play away to Oman. That’s a bit closer to Scotland than both Japan and Australia, so his journey will be shorter.
However, the attacking midfielder is expected to start that one given his importance to the national team and his performance against Vietnam through the week.
This is clearly going to be a wait and see situation. However, I have a sneaking suspicion we might at least see Maeda on the bench come Wednesday night.
Fingers crossed.
In other news, “A big night”; Joe Hart reacts to Celtic closing points gap, discusses derby.
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