Celtic get key three back for Old Firm
BOOST FOR HOOPS AS GERS LOOK FOR MORE SEMI JOY
CELTIC are set to welcome back three key men for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi- final against Rangers – and boss Ange Postecoglou has already felt the benefits.
Midfielder Reo Hatate and wingers Jota and Liel Abada have all shaken off injuries.
Postecoglou said: “From last week everyone got through unscathed and Abada, Jota and Reo have trained all week so they are available. James Forrest is probably another week or so away.”
Jota’s last involvement was scoring the clincher in the 3- 2 win over Rangers on April 8, which all but sealed the cinch Premiership title.
Japan international Hatate has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury early in Celtic’s win over Hibs on March 18.
Israel international Abada came off the bench that day but then suffered a thigh injury while on international duty.
On their likely comebacks,
Postecoglou said: “It’s hugely beneficial for us as a group. I mean, even training this week has gone up a level because three more quality players have joined in training.
“All three boys have missed a bit recently and are itching to get involved.
“It certainly helps, not just with the starting XI but the ability to then go to the bench and impact the game.
Problem
“We obviously have training to go on Saturday and they need to get through that but they have had a strong week of training and I am really pleased they are available.”
Rangers boss Michael Beale has welcomed influential defender Connor Goldson back to training.
The 30- year- old has missed the last three matches – two of which the Light Blues have lost – due to a hip problem.
Ryan Kent and Scott Wright have sat out the last two fixtures with injuries but they are also back in the
frame ahead of the crucial clash with their Old Firm rivals.
The Ibrox boss said: “Connor trained today, Scott Wright and Ryan Kent trained today, so it is seeing if they come through OK.
“Obviously they have all been out for two or three weeks so we have competition. It is nice to have them back.
“Alex Lowry is back training now, he just missed out on the squad last week.
I believe Adam Devine will probably train but the game might come a little bit too soon for him.
“Centre- back has been the one position this year that has not been stable.
“The centre- back position has had a lot of impact on our season – the amount of games Connor has missed this season compared to all the other seasons combined.
“He is our vice- captain, he is a big voice on the pitch and when he plays the results for the team, the points- per- game goes up. So it is nice to have him back.
“It has been great to have John Souttar in the last three or four weeks, at times he has performed well.
“That gives us strength. The most important thing for me is stability in the team in key positions; goalkeeper, centre- back and number nine and this year it hasn’t been the case.”
With Celtic 13 points clear of Rangers at the top of the cinch Premiership with five post- split fixtures remaining, the Scottish Cup offers the holders the last realistic chance of silverware this season.
Since beating Celtic 2- 1 in
last season’s semi- final, the Light Blues have not won in five Old Firm games, three of them since Beale took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November.
Beale said: “This season has been a rough ride for the fans and this is a chance for us to right a few wrongs in this game.
“It is just one game but I think it would have a big impact on the season if we were to win and go back to the Scottish Cup final again.
Penalty
“We just need to bring the best of ourselves.
“The games have been reasonably tight and have been won and lost on mistakes so it is important that we bring our best effort and best performance.
“Again, the penalty boxes will be decisive. In the game a couple of weeks ago I thought we performed quite well overall but we just need to eradicate one or two things defensively.”
Beale revealed long- term injured defender Filip Helander, whose last game was just over a year ago against St Mirren, is still struggling.