Rodgers addresses injury doubts, fitness issues and illness in Celtic squad

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The Celtic Star

·21 décembre 2024

Rodgers addresses injury doubts, fitness issues and illness in Celtic squad

Brendan Rodgers addressed injury doubts, fitness issues and illness within the Celtic squad at his media conference at Lennoxtown yesterday ahead of the showdown with Dundee United at Tannadice…

Croatia, Zagreb, Maksimir Stadium. Celtic media conference before the UEFA Champions League match Dinamo – Celtic. In the photo: Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers. CROPIX Ronald Gorsic

Alistair Johnston set to miss Tannadice trip

Alistair Johnston was a second-half substitute in Celtic’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over theRangers at Hampden last Sunday as Brendan Rodgers’ men lifted the Premier Sports League Cup.

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It has been revealed this week that the Canadian right-back played through a knock after he had suffered an impact injury against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia’s capital 10 days ago.

Alistair Johnston during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Now, Brendan Rodgers explained yesterday afternoon that Johnston is a doubt for Sunday’s televised Scottish Premiership encounter against Jim Goodwin’s side.

He will be fine for the next game

Rodgers said: “Ali Johnson, we just need to have an eye on as well over these next couple of days. If he misses out this weekend, he will be fine for the next game, but we just managed that injury that he had.”

Celtic v Hibernian – Scottish Premiership. James Forrest during the match at Celtic Park on Saturday December 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

James Forrest out for six weeks

Meanwhile, the Celtic boss confirmed that Hoops legend James Forrest will “probably be out for six weeks,” after the 33 year-old suffered a knock in Sunday’s triumph at the national stadium.

Post-match, Forrest was seen wearing a protective boot in leaving Hampden which left many to wonder whether he had suffered a serious injury.

Rodgers stated: “James will probably be [out for]six weeks. He had a real bad blow on the game and to be fair for him to carry on, he showed great courage to do that. Sadly, we will miss him for up to that length of time.”

Illness within the camp

Without going into individual details, Rodgers confirmed that some players have been ill this week, but hopes they recover in time for tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off against Dundee United.

“We’ve had a few bugs and bits and pieces going about, so hopefully they can tidy themselves up over the next couple of days and we have most of our players available for the weekend.”

Conor Spence