Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Celtic faces significant concerns over their wide players ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash against Ross County in Dingwall.
Nicolas Kuhn, who missed Wednesday’s game due to an injury sustained during the warm-up, remains doubtful, while Daizen Maeda is racing against time to regain fitness.
Adding to the challenges, Luis Palma will be unavailable following the heartbreaking news of his grandfather’s passing, as confirmed by Rodgers during a live interview on Sky Sports.
This situation leaves Celtic with just one fully fit senior winger, South Korean Hyun-jun Yang, as James Forrest is already sidelined until February.
The shortage of options has forced Rodgers to consider alternative solutions for his lineup.
One possibility is utilizing McCowan as a makeshift winger. Having played in wide positions during his time at Ayr United and demonstrated versatility in a recent cameo on the flank against Dundee United, McCowan could help maintain the team’s current setup.
Alternatively, Rodgers might adopt a two-striker system with Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi both available. This would reduce reliance on wingers while allowing Celtic to attack Ross County’s defense more directly.
Kyogo’s adaptability could also see him deployed on the wing, leveraging his pace and creativity, while Idah takes on the role of central striker.
Rodgers must carefully manage the squad with crucial Champions League matches and a packed domestic schedule ahead. While Saturday’s match is an opportunity to strengthen their lead at the top of the table, the absence of key attacking players adds an extra layer of difficulty to the task.
Local Media Confirm Alexandro Bernabei Fee as Deal Completed
Celtic have completed the permanent transfer of Alexandro Bernabei to Brazilian club SC Internacional for €5.5 million, with an additional €500,000 in potential bonuses.
The Argentine left-back, who has been on loan at Internacional since early last year, has signed a contract with the club until December 2027.
The transfer was finalized during a meeting between the two clubs at Celtic Park last week.
Bernabei has thrived during his time in Brazil, earning widespread acclaim for his performances in Serie A. The 23-year-old has been recognized as one of the league’s top left-backs, solidifying his role in Internacional’s plans and prompting the club to exercise their option to make the move permanent.
Brazilian media outlets have lauded Bernabei’s impact on the field.
Bernabei joined Celtic in 2022 from Lanús for a reported £3.75 million, becoming the first Argentine to represent the Hoops.
While he showed glimpses of potential, he struggled to secure a regular starting spot, with Greg Taylor firmly holding the left-back position.
When Brendan Rodgers returned as manager, Bernabei’s opportunities dwindled further. The consistent form of Greg Taylor and the potential return of Kieran Tierney made it clear that Bernabei was no longer a priority.
The transfer represents a solid piece of business for Celtic, yielding a profit while allowing the club to reshape its squad under Rodgers.
This move also frees up space within the squad and provides additional funds for reinvestment, which could be used to strengthen other areas as Celtic targets continued domestic dominance and European progress.
An official announcement from both clubs is expected soon, marking the end of Bernabei’s two-year stint in Glasgow as he begins a new chapter in Porto Alegre.
