Rangers certainly have their own injury and Covid-19 issues heading in the weekend’s first Old Firm clash of the season but Celtic could reportedly be rocked by their own.
The Parkhead club saw star summer signing and on-form striker Kyogo Furuhashi pick up a knock in the 2-1 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League Playoff.
The Japanese striker has netted seven goals in eight games for the Parkhead club and according to the Glasgow Times, “may be a doubt” for the match.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou also admitted after the game – which Celtic won 4-3 on aggregate – that the player’s situation would have to be assessed before facing Rangers.
Postecoglou was then pressed on the player’s situation in his pre-match press conference for the game and explained he was “hopeful” the player will be involved.
“Kyogo got his usual bruises and knocks,” said Postecoglou.
“He is getting tested out physically every game, I think people are figuring out that he is one of the ones they need to stop and try to find, shall I say, creative ways to do that.
“But he usually bounces back pretty well so I am hopeful he will be fine.”
Whilst the absence of the Japanese forward is certainly a blow to Celtic’s chances, Rangers fans will be split when it comes to the player potentially missing the Ibrox clash.
Yes, Celtic miss a player on form but in these matches, you always want to go up against the best possible XI in order to secure the strongest bragging rights.
On current form though – and amid a spate of Covid-19 call-offs – Rangers will take what they can get as they look to get their season truly up and firing against the Parkhead side.
As part of this, could the Ibrox side have been playing a double-bluff with one of their key stars ahead of the Old Firm derby?
