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Liam Bryce

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as David Turnbull is BACK and Joe Hart takes flight

From Scottish Cup action on Monday, Celtic are straight back into the title race this weekend.

Ange Postecoglou 's Premiership leaders welcome Ross County to Parkhead and can stretch their lead over Rangers to six points by the time their rivals take to the pitch on Sunday.

The reigning champions' adventure in the Europa League means Celtic can strike first in another round of league action and put the pressure on Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side.

There was good news on the injury front with David Turnbull back in the mix and a few others returning from absence at Tannadice.

Celtic train at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

Here's five things we spotted.

Hart takes flight

A well-timed snap captured Joe Hart in full flight as Friday's session got under way.

It's a picture to encapsulate his excellent season so far, one where he arrived with plenty of doubters but wasted little time in sweeping away any question marks over his signing.

(SNS Group)

Hart has proven invaluable to Postecoglou's rebuild and it's clear Celtic have also been good for him; a player who lost his way from the heady heights of winning Premier League titles to being surplus to requirements at Burnley.

As the title race hurtles towards a breathless conclusion, Postecoglou will bank on the 34-year-old's wealth of experience coming to the fore to help guide a young team over the line.

Jota and Abada passed fit

Postecoglou promised fans Jota and Liel Abada would be back in time for the weekend after sitting out the Scottish Cup win over Dundee United.

But there's no reassurance for supporters quite like seeing the attacking duo out there on the grass.

(SNS Group)

Jota was kept away from Tannadice by a minor knock while Abada was also missing through illness.

But they were both in the thick of the Lennoxtown action and you'd expect them to start at the weekend.

Aussie connection

Postecoglou and countryman Tom Rogic shared a laugh pre-session ahead of what is a huge week approaching for the playmaker.

After taking on Ross County on Saturday, he will head off to join the Australia national team for a pivotal World Cup qualifier against Japan.

(SNS Group)

The Aussies need a win to secure automatic passage to Qatar 2022, with anything less likely to consign them to the perils of a play-off.

Of course, there's the intriguing subplot that he could come up against two of his Celtic team-mates in Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, both of whom have been selected for Japan.

Hold me Giak

There's been no holding Giorgos Giakoumakis back since the turn of the year.

The Greek striker has played like a man eager to make up for lost time following an injury-hit start to his Celtic career.

(SNS Group)

And he's certainly delivering in the absence of Kyogo - although things could get interesting with the Japanese forward seemingly edging ever-closer to a return.

Giakoumakis was snapped gripping a mannequin in the midst of Friday's session.

It'll take some effort to wrestle him away from the striker's berth on current form.

Turnbull's back

And doesn't he look delighted? It's little wonder the Scotland midfielder had a smile splitting his face as he returned to first team contention for the first time since December.

Turnbull was distraught when a popped hamstring ended his Premier Sports Cup Final and subsequently robbed him of a significant chunk of the season.

(SNS Group)

After a slow start to the season, the former Motherwell youth grew into his role in Postecoglou's system but now he returns to find an engine room that's busier than ever.

Reo Hatate and Matt O'Riley have arrived to add increase depth in the two advanced midfield positions and Turnbull will know he faces a serious fight to become first pick again.

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