Champs in bid to face Dundee nextweek
CELTIC are trying to reschedule their clash with Dundee for next midweek – as they stare at the prospect of facing Rangers with just a six-point lead.
The champions could also take on their Glasgow rivals without first-choice rightback Mikael Lustig if the game against Neil McCann’s side is not rearranged before the Ibrox showdown.
Celtic’s game against Dundee last night was called off in the morning as the Beast from the East wiped out the Premiership card.
Lustig was banned for that match – but with it failing to beat the weather the Swede would now be out of the derby on March 11.
But Parkhead chiefs are attempting to play the
Dundee clash on Wednesday. Cristian Gamboa and fitagain Anthony Ralston are in the frame should Lustig be banned while Dedryck Boyata and Marvin Compper could also be available.
Rodgers would prefer to have Lustig on board despite the Swede taking flak from supporters following some recent performances.
He struggled in the Europa League defeat by Zenit in Russia and got himself in a tangle at Pittodrie to earn a second yellow and the subsequent red card.
But Rodgers backed his man and said: “It was just unfortunate for him he got sent off. Mika is a great servant for me. He has put himself out there. He has struggled for injuries earlier but since I’ve come in the game time he has played has been fantastic.
“He was unfortunate on Sunday but it’s another chance for someone else to come in. That’s what happens when you get a red card.”
Rodgers admitted Lustig has been hit by a hectic schedule for club and country and it could be a brutal run with Sweden heading for the World Cup in the summer with little chance of a break before Celtic’s potential European qualifiers.
The Parkhead boss said: “He has to keep going. My priority is Celtic and I need to have as many players available as possible.
“It’s going to be great for the guys going to the World Cup this summer, once they are there. The rest and recovery for that will be built in to it but for now, until the middle of May, it is full steam ahead for the majority of our players.”
Rodgers is set to use the enforced free week to nail down his squad’s plans for the end of season Scotland tour of Peru and Mexico.
The Hoops boss could have more than half a dozen stars called up but has revealed he will hold talks with new national manager Alex McLeish in the next few days.
And Rodgers added: “We’ve had a preliminary discussion about it.
“There has been a huge burden on our players this season, mentally and physically. There are going to be some who need the recovery and rest. We will speak on that and see what’s going to be best.”