Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been spotted travelling to Glasgow despite failing to train on Sunday afternoon – in a potential blow to Celtic ’s hopes.
The Frenchman, 34, was confirmed as having been absent from the squad yesterday in what would have been a blow to Real Madrid, although he did feature in the win over Betis on Saturday. Benzema was in exceptional form in the Champions League last season after scoring 15 goals in just 12 games as Los Blancos ran riot and claimed their 14th title thanks to the excellence of the former Lyon man.
And so, with Celtic featuring in the group stage of Europe's premier competition for the first time in five years, there was understandable excitement when Carlo Ancelotti's men were drawn to play the Scottish champions at the first hurdle. With a comprehensive 4-0 win over domestic rivals Rangers at the weekend, Ange Postecoglou's side extended their 100 per cent record in the league to send Celtic Park into raptures; and of course, that could not have come at a better time with the Spanish giants set to visit east Glasgow under the lights on Tuesday evening.
So when it was confirmed by the Italian boss on Sunday morning that Benzema had not been training with the squad ahead of the crunch clash, Hoops fans were undeniably over the moon that Madrid's striking star could be absent for the trip to Parkhead.
However, footage has been released of the Galacticos squad boarding their plane for Scotland ahead of the game - and Benzema has been captured making his way onto the plane in news that will massively put doubts back in the minds of the Celtic faithful.
Ancelotti had claimed that whilst Benzema was perhaps not in contention to start at Parkhead, he has plenty of superb alternatives to choose from to soften the blow of his potential absense.
"It’s a fantastic atmosphere and we are pleased to go to Glasgow to play against Celtic,” said Ancelotti. “It will be difficult for both teams. It’s not true that [Benzema] doesn’t have a substitute. There’s Mariano, Hazard, Rodrygo, Asensio can play in that position. Modric has played there too, although that didn’t go so well.
“The fact we’re playing every three days now might mean he’ll have to rest some matches. On Saturday he wasn’t so clinical in finishing, but that wasn’t because of anything physical.”
