Rangers and Celtic fans have some injury updates to consider ahead of this weekend’s Premier Sports Cup final between the two rivals.
The latest chapter of the Old Firm derby will unfold at Hampden Park, with the season’s first domestic trophy in Scottish football up for grabs.
Celtic have a fully fit squad available, except for Odin Thiago Holm, whose status remains uncertain due to a muscle injury.
There were initial concerns about right-back Alistair Johnston, but manager Brendan Rodgers is confident he will be fit for the match. Rodgers commented:
“The squad is healthy. We expect Ali to be healthy and he will be out on the pitches this afternoon (Friday).
“Hopefully we have everyone fit and available. We just gave him an extra bit of recovery on Friday morning. He has been an outstanding player for us and has been instrumental in our work. Speaking to him today, he was fine. So we expect him to be okay.”
Rangers manager Philippe Clement will be without Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who is sidelined with a long-term injury. Additionally, key defender John Souttar is doubtful for the match after sustaining an injury against Tottenham earlier in the week. As of Friday, Clement was unable to give a definitive update on Souttar’s availability.
He said: “We are waiting on the assessment from the doctor. I know John (Souttar) would give everything to be able to play. Everyone in the squad has performed when coming into the squad in the past few weeks.”
Here are the latest outs and doubts ahead of kick-off.
Celtic: Odin Thiago Holm (doubt)
Rangers: Neraysho Kasanwirjo (out), John Souttar (doubt), Rabbi Matondo (doubt), Tom Lawrence (doubt)
‘It’s my dream to play for Celtic’ – Hoops daft star reveals exactly when he’s coming home after ‘talks’ with club
Johnny Kenny has confirmed that January 3 is the date he will return to Celtic, determined to make an impact under Brendan Rodgers.
The Irish striker, signed by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022, has yet to establish himself as a regular in the Hoops’ first team. After an unremarkable loan stint at Queen’s Park, it seemed his Celtic future was uncertain. However, a remarkable run of form with Shamrock Rovers, where he is currently on loan, has reignited his prospects.
Kenny has scored seven goals in eight games this season, including five in the Conference League—more than any other player in the competition. With a high-profile European match against Chelsea this Thursday, Kenny has another chance to impress before returning to Parkhead, where Rodgers will evaluate his potential as the third striking option behind Kyogo and Adam Idah.
Kenny is optimistic about his chances, stating:
He said: “I spoke to Celtic. I’m returning to pre-season on January 3 and we’ll see where that takes us. It’s my dream to play for Celtic and hopefully I get that in January, time will tell. One hundred per cent, yeah. The goals in Europe are probably worth two or three in the league. I haven’t done myself any harm but it’s over now (after Chelsea) and come January 3, I need to impress at Celtic.
“It’s my dream to play for Celtic but I’ll take it from there. I have really enjoyed my football here (at Rovers), even last year when things weren’t going well.
“I’ll just enjoy the glamour tie next week and Christmas with my family and see what January brings. It’s up to me when I go back to take it a step further and hopefully get my chance.”
Kenny’s performance upon his return could significantly shape Brendan Rodgers’ January transfer plans. Rodgers has expressed a desire for a young striker to challenge his two main forwards and had previously identified Rocco Vata for that role before Vata’s move to Watford. Kenny fits the profile, and his assessment upon returning may delay any plans to sign a new striker until later in the transfer window.
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, who has been benefiting from Kenny’s impressive form, is supportive of his move. He remarked:
He said: “It means Johnny has done well. That’s good, that’s healthy. We’re helping him do well.
“What the future will be, will be. I’m having discussions all the time myself with Johnny, I’m quite clear where he is. We just have to enjoy what he’s doing this year, we’ve seen real maturity and someone grow before your eyes, it’s a pleasure to watch. There’s so much more to come from him.
“I think he can be a really top player, there’s still loads to come. Hopefully we’re the ones to help him get there. There will be changes, players will leave, players will come in.”
Another Celtic favorite fans would love to see make a return is Kieran Tierney. However, former Premier League striker Darren Bent fears the defender’s chances of reclaiming a spot in Mikel Arteta’s plans at Arsenal may be fading. Despite Arteta suggesting that Tierney might feature in Arsenal’s 3-0 Champions League win over Monaco, the Scotland international remained on the bench, with teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly preferred at left-back.
TalkSPORT pundit and Arsenal fan Darren Bent believes Tierney’s time in North London could be nearing its end. He stated:
He said: “I almost fear a little bit now for Kieran Tierney. I really like Kieran Tierney, but unfortunately he can’t stay fit. I think the last time he played a competitive game was in June for Scotland.
“Just being out for that amount of time, I think he’s been sitting on the bench for Arsenal for the last five games. The fact that he’s not played a minute would almost indicate that his time at Arsenal is coming to an end.”
