Following Callum McGregor’s injury that prevented him from playing in Celtic’s match against Hearts last week, two more players have been ruled out of Sunday’s match against Livingston.
Hyunjun Yang will not play in tomorrow afternoon’s Scottish Cup match against St Johnstone after Celtic lost their appeal of his red card at Tynecastle.
In a press conference on Friday, Brendan Rodgers also stated that Luis Palma is questionable for David Martindale’s team’s visit due to an injury.
McGregor and Reo Hatate, however, will not return to action until after the next international break.
Brilliant Celtic youth players could start against Livingston.
All this indicates that two young players could benefit from the space that has opened up in the Celtic match squad.
In a press conference on Friday, Brendan Rodgers also stated that Luis Palma is questionable for David Martindale’s team’s visit due to an injury.
McGregor and Reo Hatate, however, will not return to action until after the next international break.
Talented Celtic youngsters could feature vs Livingston
All of this indicates that two young players may benefit ahead of others in the Celtic match squad since space has freed up.
Daniel Kelly, a midfielder for the Bhoys, may even start for the first time as a senior after playing 18 minutes off the bench against Buckie Thistle in the previous round, an outstanding second half display against Dundee at home, and 11 minutes against Hearts.
Matt O’Riley and Tomoki Iwata are anticipated to start in the centre against Livingston. But the third slot is up for grabs, and Paulo Bernardo didn’t exactly prove last week that he should start.
Rodgers has been heaping praise on Kelly lately, and this should be a nice game to see how he performs without three points being on the line in a tight
Rocco Vata may play a significant amount of minutes in other spots as a winger, particularly if he is brought on as a second-half substitution.
The wise choice would be for Kyogo Furuhashi or Nicolas Kuhn to start for Celtic as their wide attacking options against Livingston.
But if the score is close going into the last half hour, respite or even a breath of fresh air may be required after the intermission.
Vata is someone we know can deliver that, and after making a brief appearance against Aberdeen and playing 26 minutes in the tournament’s fourth round, there’s a potential he may have his longest game of the year.
Since both players train full-time with the senior team and were left out of the Celtic B squad for their encounter on Saturday, they will, at the at least, be named in the matchday group.
If Rodgers decides the time and conditions are perfect for them to be tested, it would be great to see them have a significant opportunity.