What we learned from Celtic training as star men return but there’s one glaring omission before Hearts

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Celtic take on Hearts this weekend as they return from the international break.

Brendan Rodgers would have hoped his squad came back unscathed and, for the most part, they did. Unfortunately Kasper Schmeichel picked up an injury in Denmark’s defeat to Portugal.

No matter who plays this weekend at home to the Jambos, though, Rodgers will demand a much improved performance from Celtic’s 3-2 loss to Rangers in their most recent Scottish Premiership outing.

Training will no doubt have been intense this week for that reason with the squad desperate to make it up to their fans as well as the manager for their uncharacteristic Glasgow derby showing.

Here 67 Hail Hail takes a look at Celtic’s training footage via Sky Sports before the visit of Neil Critchley’s troops and picks out some key takeaways from Lennoxtown.

• READ MORE: Paulo Bernardo reveals Celtic injury ‘was bad’ as star shares return timeline

Callum McGregor back in Celtic training

McGregor was missed vs Rangers as confirmed as Rodgers but his calf issue would not even allow him a space on the bench.

That was a disappointment but the captain is back on the LT grass and looks ready to go with Hearts coming next in Glasgow.

Kasper Schmeichel injured

Schmeichel’s injury problems were compounded by Danish media criticism and the 38-year-old was defended by the PFA as well as teammate Paulo Bernardo who called for “more respect” for the goalkeeper.

He wasn’t in training with Celtic’s squad this morning with deputy Viljami Sinisalo poised to start against the Jam Tarts.

Auston Trusty returns

The American sat out against Rangers like his captain did and his experience was missed with Maik Nawrocki coming in to replace him. To be fair to Nawrocki he put in a decent shift vs Gers but Trusty is Cameron Carter-Vicker’s main partner.

He has been training with the team this week having dropped out of the USMNT for their recent CONCACAF fixtures, so surely he’ll be ready or close to being so this weekend.

Nawrocki pushes for starting spot

Nawrocki was also spotted on the training pitch and he will be adamant that he did enough to continue in Rodgers’ starting XI even if he couldn’t prevent defeat last weekend.

With Trusty possibly still not quite match fit, the Poland national will hope to get a run in the team.