Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has today set the record straight on David Turnbull and Kyogo Furuhashi’s UEFA squad inclusion.
Many have been getting excited after seeing the duo named in Celtic’s Europa Conference League squad moving forward. Next week’s tie against Bodo/Glimt sees the Hoops return to the European stage after some promising displays in the Europa League groups.
However, they’ll likely have to do so without Turnbull and Kyogo. Both continue to sit out with injury knocks despite their inclusion. As of yet, there have been no timelines regarding a potential return for either player.
And as Ange Postecoglou took up his media duties for the Aberdeen game tomorrow, the boss said the following via Sky Sports when asked about whether their inclusion in the Euro squad means they’re close to a return:
“If they’re fit and available they’ll be in the squad. To be fair Dave is obviously closer because his injury happened before Kyogo. So he’s probably 2-3 weeks ahead of Kyogo. Again I haven’t put timeframes on it because I could end up being wildly out.
“But Dave’s working hard, Kyogo’s working hard, and I would expect to see Dave before Kyogo. But in terms of the European squad, they’re both in the squad because hopefully they’re available at some time for us.”
Neither Kyogo nor Turnbull closing in on a Celtic return
It’s important to remember that both players have simply been included in the hope that they can make an impact at some stage this season. Remember, the squad submitted to UEFA is the squad that is to be used throughout Celtic’s journey in the competition, not just for the Bodo/Glimt tie.
That’s one of the key aspects that seems to have been forgotten about. This isn’t a squad that can be amended when players are injured or return from injury. The squad Celtic have submitted is the squad they’re using from here on in.
Of course Ange and the backroom staff will believe that both Turnbull and Kyogo will return before the season is over. If there’s even a chance of that, that’s why they’ve been included.
Don’t expect either man back for either of the games against Bodo/Glimt. Ange will have to use what he’s got, and even then the quality we have available to us is certainly substantial.
But hopefully, should we get by the Norwegians, the likes of David and Kyogo will both be fit and available for the later rounds. It would certainly be a big boost for us if they were both back before the latter stages of the title run-in.
It’s good that Ange cleared this up today of course. There was far too much excitement gathering over the pair’s potential imminent return and it made little sense.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou hits back at critics as he defends his outstanding Celtic players
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