Celtic took a huge step closer to the title yesterday afternoon after Rangers’ 2-0 defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. That loss means that despite dropping two points on Saturday, we increase our lead to 13 points at the top of the table.
Celtic now require only one more win to be crowned champions, but before that day comes, the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers is up next.
And it seems that Michael Beale expects at least two players to return in time for the season-defining game. Speaking post-match at Pittodrie on BBC Sportsound, Beale said, “Nico Raskin took a fitness test to play today. He came through okay.
“But obviously you think at a certain part of the game, there’s no point taking the risk.
“And I’ll expect one or two more back. It was just too soon for Scott Wright.
“Connor Goldson and Ryan Kent, you’re hoping will return to training this week. So they’re the ones that are likely to be back.
“At the moment, it will be this squad until I say otherwise.”
Ange Postecoglou also has his own injury worries to contend with but did say that Jota, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada’s return to the first team was ‘close’.
Celtic will be looking to improve on the disappointing performance against Motherwell on Saturday and the return of these three will no doubt help boost our creative and attacking qualities that were, sadly, lacking at the weekend.
With no other injuries reported after the draw against Motherwell, if the trio do return this week, Ange will have a full squad available to select from for the first time since the international break.
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