Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have been dealt a late injury setback ahead of this afternoon’s Premiership Old Firm meeting with Rangers.
What’s the latest?
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Celtic), the Bhoys boss revealed that James Forrest will not be available for selection on Sunday afternoon, as the winger has been unable to recover from a knock picked up in his last outing.
Regarding the 30-year-old’s current condition, the Greek-Australian manager said: “The only one who is not available for the weekend is James Forrest. He still has a bit of a niggle from his last game, so he’s the one that’s ruled out.”
Postecoglou will be gutted
While Forrest has not exactly been a guaranteed starter at Celtic since Postecoglou’s arrival at the club last summer, the news that the forward is not fit to face Rangers will nevertheless have come as a gutting blow to the 56-year-old and his side.
Indeed, the £5.4m-rated man has been a devastating player in the Hoops attack over the past decade, scoring an incredibly impressive 97 goals and registering 97 assists over 440 appearances for the club.
Furthermore, although he has only started 16 fixtures in all competitions this season, the £20k-per-week Scotland international has still scored some important goals for Celtic in 2021/22, none less so than his winner against St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.
As such, while it would have been unlikely that Forrest would have been given the nod from the off this afternoon, the 30-year-old’s unavailability will certainly come as a huge blow to Celtic’s chances of leaving Ibrox with all three points – with a victory in Govan all but securing the Premiership title for Postecoglou’s outfit.
AND in other news: Ange starts £52.5k-p/w ace & 22y/o who has his chest “puffed out”: Predicted Celtic XI