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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Celtic boss provides pre-Kilmarnock injury update on two key players

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed two key players missed Friday's training session as they prepare to face Kilmarnock this weekend. 

The Hoops are in a buoyant mood having turned their European fortunes around with a memorable win against RB Leipzig in midweek. 

Rodgers knows his Celtic side have given their all during a busy and rewarding recent schedule, and revealed that there's members of his squad that need to be assessed before being unleashed again at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Discussing his team news ahead of the trip down to Ayrshire, he said: "Yeah, hopefully all being well, a couple of little knocks and minor things that the medical team are working with, but hopefully the same squad.

"We are obviously in a really good place physically and mentally. But we've got another day to go."

On the chances of defensive duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty being fit enough to feature as Celtic look to continue their unbeaten start to the league campaign, Rodgers continued: "They weren't training, but yeah, more sort of precautionary, just giving them that extra little rest.

"We had obviously two very tough physical days in four games, so we're just doing some light work inside and we'll see how they are for tomorrow."


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Celtic have began to find their rhythm over the past fortnight, scoring five goals without reply across two Scottish Premiership victories, thrashing high-flying Aberdeen 6-0 in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, and then following that up with an impressive 3-1 triumph against RB Leipzig on UEFA Champions League duties. 

"There's a glow around everyone at the moment," the Celtic boss told Sky Sports. "The supporters, they were amazing for us, the energy that they gave us on the night and obviously the players, the players were absolutely incredible in the performance level against a really, really top side. To play that well and perform that well, it puts everyone in a good mood. 

"We are in a really, really good place. There's been two big games in four days and it really tells you the mindset of this team to put everything into Saturday's game against Aberdeen and then follow  that up with an even better performance on the Tuesday night. The physicality that was needed in a game like that tells you everything about the ambition and drive of the team. 

"We are in a really good place but, of course, we keep striving to be better and to improve. There's still such a long way to go in the season, but certainly in the Champions League we've made a really good start. Three really good performances out of four puts us in a very good place for the next four games."

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