Scotland boss Steve Clarke has dismissed any concerns over player fitness levels heading into Rangers vs Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.
Clarke has Celtic pair Callum McGregor ad Greg Taylor in his camp for the current international break. He also has Rangers midfiedler Ryan Jack in there too. All 3, meanwhile, will take part in the Glasgow derby at Ibrox in just 5 days’ time.
Celtic fans have been concerned throughout the international break regarding their players playing and travelling too much heading into the derby. After all, increased risk of injury is a genuine concern as is fatigue levels.
But Clarke has dismissed any of that and instead stated that those playing on Sunday will have “plenty of time” to prepare. As quoted by the Scotsman, Clarke said: “It’s not such a bad camp because there is a game Thursday night and good recovery time before the Tuesday game. The way it shapes up now with the broadcast games, most of them are on a Sunday anyway. The bigger games tend to be later in the weekend. So there is plenty of time to recover on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. And for most of them Saturday before they play on the Sunday.
“It’s not a big issue. If I’m being honest, I try not to have the conversations [with club managers]. That’s me just being honest. I have to do my job. My job is to put a winning team on the pitch for Scotland’s national team. I just have to do my job. Listen, I’ve been a club manager and understand the boundaries and how everybody wants to look after their own players at their clubs. Everybody has to be selfish, but I have to be selfish when they come into camp.
“When they come into camp I get to borrow those players for ten days, or whatever it is. I have to utilise them as I see fit, to do the job that I need them to do for their country.”
Steve Clarke sounds happy to use Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor if necessary tonight
So Clarke sounds 100% happy to dismiss any concerns over fitness issues heading into Sunday. He gives it a good go in mapping out why everything will be fine, but it doesn’t do anything to ease the anxiety levels over his team selection tonight.
Celtic fans just want to see the likes of McGregor and Taylor wrapped up in cotton wool. Both are nailed on to start at Ibrox this weekend. It’s not even a debate. They’ll be in there, and an injury to either would be a devastating blow.
We know our players should be capable of featuring on a Tuesday and then be ready for a Sunday fixture. It’s a 5-day gap. So long as they get through tonight without having picked up any injuries, then there’s no need to panic about whether they’ll be fit to go again on Sunday.
The disappointment comes in that Clarke is still happy to risk it in what’s a totally meaningless game. He’s still willing to put players in who have major responsibilities for their club that weekend.
Granted, changes are certain tonight. Andy Robertson returning from Covid should mean that Taylor in particular gets a rest. But it’s difficult to be as confident when it comes to McGregor.
So long as both men return back without any knocks, we’ll be happy. This Sunday and everything that comes with winning means it’s a special circumstance this month. Absolutely zero injuries please.
In other news, Report: Celtic may end up needing to pay £500k to sign Bayern’s Christopher Scott
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