Ange wants another look at CalMac’s red
Celtic boss ponders appeal and CCV return for Leipzig
Celtic will study footage of skipper Callum McGregor’s sending-off before deciding whether or not to appeal.
McGregor was sent packing by referee John Beaton late in his side’s win over Motherwell after hauling down Ross Tierney, and would miss Saturday’s game at St Johnstone.
Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I’m not sure it was a red card. It looked like we had a covering player.
“From where I was – I didn’t have the greatest angle. I was furthest away. It definitely looked like Josip Juranovic or someone was coming around. “We’ll have a look at it.” Meanwhile, Celtic could have defender Cameron Carter-Vickers back for the midweek Champions League game at RB Leipzig.
Postecoglou said: “He is not far away. But we have another 12 games in 40-odd days, so I am not going to put him in unless he is absolutely right.
“If he is ready, he will put his hand up and play.”
Celtic are still sweating on the fitness of centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig in Germany.
The steadying influence of the American was missed as the Hoops took on Motherwell.
Carl Starfelt will not be fit for a fortnight, but Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou is not ruling out Carter-Vickers.
He said: “We will see how he is Monday and Tuesday, then make a decision.
“He is not far away but we have another 12 games in 40-odd days, so I am not going to put him in unless he is absolutely right.
“It would be silly to put him in and then lose him for another few games, particularly with Carl out for at least another couple of weeks.
“Cam’s pretty good, if he is ready he will play, I don’t need to question that.But we have to make sure we make the right decision. We will give him every chance.”
The manager was pleased with his stand-in central defence of Mortiz Jenz and Stephen Welsh in the circumstances.
He added: “It’s hard because last year Carl and Cam were mainstays, neither of them really got injured
“I have always felt centre-back pairings are really important in terms of understanding, in terms of knowing each other’s movements, the sort of idiosyncrasies they have. When you put one in, it’s a lot easier to adjust.”
Meanwhile, left-back Greg Taylor told team-mate Reo Hatate that he doesn’t need to be too apologetic.
The Japanese attacker was quick to offer his apologies for the misplaced pass that led to Hoops’ skipper Callum McGregor committing a foul that got him sent off late in the win over Motherwell.
Taylor believes his long-range goal that won the game meant Hatate is well in credit with the side.
He said: “Reo was very apologetic, which he didn’t have to be because he’s the reason we won the game.
“He’s got high standards within himself but nobody was expecting an apology.
“He has been outstanding thus far. He is a top player and got the winning goal today when the game was in the balance.
“I’m sure he’ll continue to progress into a real top player.”
With a Champions League tie coming up, Taylor believes players like Hatate are crucial to Celtic’s success.
He went on: “We’ve got match-winners throughout the squad. Kyogo’s one, Reo another. We have different options to start or come off the bench.
“We have a squad which is very well equipped for these games coming up.”
Ange Postecoglou believes Hatate will learn from his mistake. He said: “He’s a player who still has a lot of potential.
“Like a lot of Japanese players, he only came out of university at the age of 22 and has only really been a professional footballer for three-and-a-bit years.
“I knew after the impact he had in his first year that he’s going to improve.
“He’s pretty hard on himself. He pushes himself and wants to get better.
“He will be disappointed with his pass that created the red card. He will think about how he can get better.”
Winger Liel Abada accepts that Celtic have to be more clinical when they face Leipzig.
He said: “We need to keep playing our football but in the last two games in the Champions League we missed a lot of opportunities.
“We need to focus 100% because in the Champions League if you don’t score it costs you and the other team will score.”