Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will speak to the media at Lennoxtown later today ahead of Sunday’s crucial Glasgow derby.
It is hard to think of a game more critical than the upcoming one with the way things are at the top of the table.
Sunday’s result will have critical consequences regarding the destination of the league title and as gaffer Rodgers previews it, we outline three key questions for him.
Callum McGregor Fitness
The first and most obvious point for the boss to address today is the situation surrounding the fitness of his captain Callum McGregor.
John Kennedy confirmed after the win over Livingston that a decision would be made about his availability for this match later in the week, but the time has now passed.
John Beaton Appointment
Given his recent SFA ban, Rodgers may not want to get too bogged down in discussions about officiating, but one imagines he will likely have to address the appointment of John Beaton as referee for the derby.
The Irishman publicly criticised Beaton for his incompetence on VAR after his side’s 2-0 loss to Hearts earlier in the campaign, and it will be intriguing to see what he has to say about him being in charge at Ibrox.
Potential Yang Absence
Winger Yang has been named in South Korea’s under-23s team for the upcoming under-23 Asian Cup which runs from 15 April to 3 May 2024.
If he goes, the 21-year-old could miss the Hoops’ Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen and a host of post-split fixtures.
Boss of the U23s, Hwang Seon-hong, hopes Celtic sanctions the exit of Yang for the tournament which also acts as qualifiers for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
The club, though, are not legally obliged to let him go because the international break is not listed in FIFA’s calendar.
Given how close the title race is and the recent form Yang has shown, one assumes Rodgers will want to keep him in Glasgow for the fight but it is difficult to deny the player the chance to play for his country.
To all of these issues and more, we will be given answers later today when the manager takes the hot seat in the press room at Celtic’s training ground.
