Ange Postecoglou has shared that Callum McGregor is currently the only injury absentee at Celtic, with three players returning to training and matchday squad contention this week.
Jota, Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh have all been recently missing for varying lengths, reducing the options available to the manager alongside McGregor’s knee issue.
Postecoglou shared in a press conference today that all have made a return to the group, though starts are unlikely against Livingston on Sunday.
Nonetheless, having more defensive cover on the bench and the Portuguese waiting in the wings to make an impact is a significant boost to the group ahead of a crucial and busy period of the season.
Starting at Livingston, Celtic will play five matches in just 13 days, potentially stretching the limits of Postecoglou’s squad to maintain performances at the levels required.
A daunting trip to Real Madrid follows the jaunt to West Lothian with home matches against Dundee United and Ross County, as well as another match away to Motherwell all on the immediate horizon.
The squad will then break up, with some heading off to the World Cup and the rest travelling to Australia, and then Portugal for training alongside matches.
If Celtic can head into that break with another four wins from four in the league then they are guaranteed to be at least four points ahead of Rangers and an incredibly strong position to retain the title.
By that point, McGregor will also have likely returned to training if his rehabilitation continues in the manner it has been.
Further injuries are, of course, possible but it seems that last year’s woes of constant muscle issues are behind Celtic. Most of our problems this year have been contact injuries, suggesting that the squad is being managed in an efficient way.
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