Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as Yosuke Ideguchi offers injury clue and Karamoko Dembele makes his case

The big games come thick and fast for Celtic now as they look to accelerate away from rivals Rangers at the top of the Premiership.

But Ange Postecoglou 's team can only take it one game at a time and they have their hands full with a trip north to face Aberdeen.

Their victory at Pittodrie last time they faced there in October proved to be a big one as it kick-started the rampant run of form that currently sees them top the tree.

But there is no room for error now, even against a Dons team whose recent form leaves a lot to be desired.

Postecoglou has been keeping his players' eyes on the ball as he put them through their paces one last time before the long trip north.

And here are five things we spotted at Lennoxtown.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man

Looking back, Jota 's strike last time Celtic went to Aberdeen could be one of the most important goals of their season.

It ended an eight-month run without an away league win and set the ball rolling for his team to win 15 of their next 17 Premiership games - reclaiming top spot in the process.

Jota will be hoping for another start at Pittodrie (SNS Group)

And while Celtic will be hopeful they won't need any late heroics this time, having Jota back fit and available means they can count on him when they need him.

Thought the cool, calm and collected winger was all smiles at training as he looks to get back on the scoresheet - with his last goal coming against the Dons.

Another Dembele sighting

It's been a long road back for youngster Karamoko Dembele but he's slowly but surely getting there.

The winger has been out with a hellish ankle injury since July but he was spotted back in full team training last week.

Karamoko Dembele in Celtic training (SNS Group)

But he was all wrapped up at a frosty Lennoxtown as he looked to catch the eye of Ange Postecoglou.

It's worth noting that Dembele is still just 18, so there's plenty of time for him to get things back on track. But the hard work starts now.

Ready, set, go!

Daizen Maeda's lightning pace has already made him a nuisance to Premiership defences and he netted his second goal in green and white against Motherwell at the weekend.

Without Kyogo in the team the Hoops have previously lacked the dynamism and directness he brings.

Daizen Maeda in Celtic training (SNS Group)

But Maeda is perhaps the one player who can match it, whether he's the focal point or playing off the left.

He was seen turning on the afterburners to leave Giorgos Giakoumakis in his dust and he might be hoping to race ahead of the big Greek hitman to lead the line on Wednesday.

House of Guchi

While Celtic's other J-League arrivals have been instant smash-hits, it's been a more frustrating start for Yosuke Ideguchi.

Maeda and Reo Hatate have taken no time in getting up to speed but an injury on his first start means Guchi has been unable to replicate them.

Yosuke Ideguchi in Celtic training (SNS Group)

He'll be hoping to do so soon, however, as he recovers from his knock and battles for a place in the team.

Postecoglou says Wednesday's game is likely to come too soon but he could be back in at the weekend to face Raith in the Scottish Cup.

Knocking on the door

Getting Chris Jullien fit and available again isn't the matter of urgency it once was for Celtic.

In his absence they've gone from a rickety defensive unit to a well-oiled machine at the back and the Frenchman is having to wait his turn behind the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh.

Christopher Jullien in Celtic training (SNS Group)

Postecoglou insists he's fit and champing at the bit to take his chance when it comes though.

And while that might not be in Aberdeen, it's likely it will come sooner rather than later.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.