Rodgers in Confident Mood

The international break is over and Celtic get back to business this Saturday against Dundee. Media reports are suggesting that Liel Abada has picked up an injury while away on international duty with Israel and he could be ruled out for the next 5 months.

Confidence should be high after our last outing at Ibrox and Brendan Rodgers has a number of players returning from injury to bolster his selection options.

He will also have the services of Liverpool loanee Nat Philips who was unveiled yesterday to the Celtic fan media and is expected to play on Saturday. He has settled in well at the club and is looking forward to playing regularly after playing a bridesmaid role at his parent club.

He watched the rangers game from the media room at Ibrox and was impressed with how his new team mates dealt with the pressure in the second half to bring all 3 points back to the East end of Glasgow.

The manager also spoke midweek and said that the rangers win will mean nothing if we don’t beat Dundee and he is confident the team will only improve.

It was interesting to hear Brendan compare the St. Johnstone draw to the defeat in the Champions League qualifier away to Gibraltar Minnows, Red Imps.

I was at that game. The game was played on a terrible plastic pitch in high temperatures and Celtic were comfortable winners in the return leg at Celtic Park. After dropping points to St, Johnstone Celtic fans booed and vented their anger and it was the same in Gibraltar on that sweltering hot evening.

Another Celtic Manager who will be happy with his players is Fran Alonso the Celtic Women’s team came back from 2 goals down to win 3-2 last night.

The transfer window may be shut but the rumours are still circulating around who may or may not be coming to Celtic Park in January. Liverpool’s Irish international goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher continues to be linked with a move to Paradise.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine & host of the Celtic Soul Podcast