NAT PHILLIPS is poised to line up alongside Liam Scales against Kilmarnock in today’s noon kick-off at Rugby Park.
Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to take a risk with Cameron Carter-Vickers on the Ayrshire club’s articial surface after the USA World Cup defender was kept in at the interval in the 4-1 midweek win over Hibs at Parkhead.
The rugged back-four performer complained of a tight hamstring and Phillips was immediately called into action for the second-half.
IT TAKES TWO…Liam Scales and Nat Phillips are poised to line up against Killie this afternoon.
First time-around as Celtic boss, Rodgers refused to choose Jozo Simunovic on Killie’s plastic pitch and he is likely to do the same with Carter-Vickers on this occasion. The Croatian star was also troubled with similar problems during his stay at the Hoops.
Phillips is likely to get the nod ahead of £7.3million summer recruits, Maik Nawrocki, from Legia Warsaw, and Gustaf Lagerbielke, from Elfsborg, which prompts the question: Will the Englishman be offered a contract extension at the champions next month?
The centre-back agreed a short-term loan deal in late August and is due to return to Liverpool in January.
It’s clear Phillips is ahead of the big-money purchases Nawrocki and Lagerbielke in Rodgers’ pecking order and another sound outing at Rugby Park could lead to a new deal in the midst of the comings and goings of next month’s transfer window.
Watch this space!
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Kilmarnock v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
