ROGIC RACE FOR IBROX
From Back Page a protective moon-boot, is desperate to play against Rangers and Rodgers is adamant he will give him every opportunity to feature in the top-of-thetable crunch.
However, the gaffer has also made it crystal clear that it is pointless to take any chances.
He said: “Tom won’t be available for Wednesday, but we’ll look towards the weekend. If we think he can play, he will.
“But if not, there is no drama, no problem. It’s about the team and someone else can step in and become a hero.”
Leigh Griffiths is also a concern for this week’s double-header after limping out of the 3-0 weekend win at Hamilton.
Rodgers, though, is upbeat over the striker’s fitness after taking him off at half-time at New Douglas Park to limit any further damage. He said: “It was precautionary. His calf is a bit tight.
“He’s had this a number of times. He’s not been fit enough for long periods and the last thing I wanted to do was lose him when we have fit players available. I didn’t want to take a risk. If it was going to go, it would have been on that pitch.”
Celtic won with 10 men at Hamilton after Callum McGregor was red carded and Rodgers has hinted that the club will review the appeal situation after Willie Collum dished-out a second yellow card for an ordering-off which rules the midfielder out of the County clash.
He said: “It was never a sending off. It’s a bad decision.
“I could tell at the time. You could sense from the crowd, and obviously three-quarters are Celtic fans, but I could sense from the home fans too.
“I know my player, Callum intercepts and blocks. He isn’t one to make tackles. He did what I asked him to do.
“He went to press and was trying to jump to protect himself in case he was hit by the ball and, of course, his momentum takes him forward.
“So how he can send him off for that? It’s a poor decision but I am not sure if we can do anything.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, has revealed he will help facilitate a move out of Parkhead for Efe Ambrose.
The Nigerian is out of favour and wanted by Wolves and Blackburn in England, as well as Marseille in France.
Rodgers is determined to assist his chances of regular football and added: “Efe is not playing and knows where he stands in terms of the team.
“I want to look after Efe in particular as much as I can. This is a good man. He makes mistakes like us all, but this guy has been slaughtered and made fun of.
“I want to protect and help him. No, he isn’t playing for me but he’s a human being and if I can help him get to England then fine.
“If something does come in then he and I will sit down and see what is best for Efe. He has something to offer, but, in our team, that is slightly difficult at the moment.”