JOHN Kennedy, the Celtic coach, has revealed he is hopeful that both James Forrest and Scott Sinclair will be fit for the Ladbrokes Premiership match against Rangers at Ibrox on Hogmanay.
However, he is doubtful that Kieran Tierney will have recovered from his ankle operation in time to be involved in the Old Firm game despite the left back returning to training at Lennoxtown yesterday.
Sinclair suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League match against Barcelona last month while Forrest also pulled his hamstring against Manchester City last week.
“James will miss the games against Hamilton and Dundee and we’ll assess him from there," said Kennedy. “It’s minor, a slight hamstring injury, but nothing too serious.
“James has been a big part of the team with the pace he brings us and his confidence is back. That’s a big thing for James. Playing with that confidence and belief in himself.
“The way the team is structured allows him to get higher up the pitch and into important areas where he can do his magic.
“If you get him one v one against most full-backs, he can cause them trouble, so it’s important we get him back and make sure he is right when we do so.
“Sinclair is still in rehab and, maybe, we’ll see him at training at some point next week. He’s still early rehab, so with a little bit to go. Scott is doing a bit of work with the physios and he has been looking good.
“He is a player who does not pick up a lot of injuries and that’s a good thing because it means he’s strong and robust, so we’ll see where he is at next week. We won’t risk him, that’s for sure.
“We’re sitting in a good place at the moment and he’s an important player for us, so we won’t rush him back and put him in trouble. We’ll make sure he is right.”
However, Kennedy stressed it will be next month before Kieran Tierney, who took part in light training at Lennoxtown yesterday, will be back. “He was out jogging, but it was minor," he said.
Asked if he’d have a chance for the Rangers game, Kennedy said: “I’d doubt it. He’s had surgery and there is a programme there for him to work to, so I’d expect to see him more in January."
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