Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Celtic in the event they choose to request fixture postponements from the SPFL.
League rules give teams the opportunity to request a rescheduling of games in the event three or more players are called up for international duty.
With Kyogo Furuhashi, Tom Rogic, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate all potentially featuring in upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, Celtic may well have a decision to make.
And in the event they do, Dalglish doesn’t understand why they wouldn’t seek to move fixtures until later in the season.
He told The Sunday Post: “At the end of the day, this season’s Premiership title has a Champions League pot of gold, worth £35-million riding on it, and all clubs must do what they feel is best suited to them.
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“So why should Celtic not ask for a postponement if there is an option available for them to do so? Sure, I get Rangers might not like it, and would prefer the game to be played. I absolutely get that standpoint. Sky Sports might also not be overly happy at having to reschedule the match once again. That is also understandable.
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“For sure there won’t be any defeatist attitude circulating around Celtic Park. If big Ange were to lose some players to international duty – and say it was just Kyogo and Rogic and they couldn’t request a postponement – the players he has available wouldn’t be fazed by playing Rangers at home without them.
“The likes of Callum McGregor, Joe Hart, James Forrest, Nir Bitton, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers would all welcome the challenge. But Ange needs to do what is right for the team and himself.”
These comments could ruffle a few feathers but to be honest I can’t find much fault with them.
Celtic have a duty to give themselves the best chance possible in upcoming matches. If that’s means postponement per league rules, then so be it. The SPFL don’t have to approve it.
Yet, Celtic may still not even take this measure. The players need to be called up first of all, of course. But even then, postponing three matches later into the season could be a case of “careful what you wish for”.
Creating a fixture backlog could do more harm than good for the Bhoys. But I appreciate Dalglish’s thoughts anyway!
In other news, 3 youngsters impress as Celtic B win on live season ticket holder broadcast.