Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Liel Abada is further ahead of Reo Hatate in earning minutes for Celtic.
The duo have been out for long periods of time and returned to the matchday squad that saw Celtic earning the bragging rights against Rangers.
To loud cheers and applause from those inside Parkhead, Liel Abada was introduced into the action after 83 minutes, whilst Reo Hatate remained an unused substitute.
Ahead of Celtic’s clash against St Mirren on Tuesday, it seems as though the fans will still see very little of the duo – could Maik Nawrocki start?
Brendan Rodgers made it clear ‘I’m not in any rush’ in pushing the duo to earn more minutes, as he told the club’s official YouTube account.
In truth, given that there is a break from post-St Mirren until the cup clash against Buckie Thistle, then there is no need to rush because of how important the duo are to the team.
Plus, after recent back-to-back defeats, the Bhoys have now started to hit some serious form, so there is no need to change the XI.
Liel Abada and Reo Hatate update
“We will see,” responded Rodgers about Abada and Hatate earning more minutes. “We will see what the game takes. At this stage of the season, it’s much about you are looking at physical condition and what the players can bring.
“I’m not in any rush with those two because, as I said, it was nice for them to be involved Liel is slightly ahead of Reo, so that’s why he gets his minutes (against Rangers).
“We obviously have one more game, then we have a period of time to get them up to speed. But I don’t need to rush them.”
Second half of the season
The first five or so months of Rodgers’ return to the Celtic dugout have delivered a mixed response.
But the team is still sitting top of the table with destiny in the team’s hands.
Not only that, key players who have missed the first half of the campaign through injury, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Hatate and Abada, will now be ready to go for the crunch months.
And if Celtic have left the best form till last, then there is no doubt that the title will be delivered once more.
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