JOHN Kennedy is hopeful that both Kristoffer Ajer and James Forrest will be available to play for Celtic soon after both players missed the Premiership match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. 

Kennedy revealed that he didn't want to take a chance with either centre half Ajer, who had a shoulder injury, and winger Forrest, who has hamstring and back problems, in the league game. 

However, the Parkhead interim manager is optimistic that both players will be fit to face Rangers at Ibrox again at the start of next month.  

"Kris has a shoulder issue when it pops in and out," he said. "He's not had it for 18 months but it happened at the weekend. It is nothing too serious. We just didn't want to take a risk.

"It was the same with James. The games come around so quickly and we didn't want to take chances. We have Rangers in 10 days, he has the Euros coming up. He should be back training at the weekend."