BRENDAN RODGERS is aiming to have a full squad available for Celtic’s grand finale to the season when the holders take on Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup showpiece at Hampden a fortnight on Saturday.
The Hoops boss will, of course, be without long-term crock Filipe Jota, but he is hopeful of bringing down the curtain on another successful campaign with an otherwise full complement from which to choose his matchday pool as the club bid for their sixth treble in nine remarkable years.
Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be rested while the champions negotiate the remaining three Premiership outings of the campaign, starting with Hibs at Parkhead on Saturday.
GROUNDED…Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor scramble the ball away from Ibrox duo Mohamed Diomande and Vaclav Cerny in the 1-1 derby draw at the weekend.
The Canadian right-back has a persistent hip problem while the USA international central defender is still having treatment on a hamstring issue.
Anthony Ralston, who replaced Johnston in the 1-1 draw at Ibrox at the weekend, will continue at No.2 and there could be a place for forgotten Celt Maik Nawrocki in the middle of the rearguard in place of Carter-Vickers.
Nicolas Kuhn sat out the derby stalemate with a knee injury and Rodgers will not rush the German winger while he has James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun, who both featured against Barry Ferguson’s club, in contention for the right-wing berth.
Kasper Schmeichel, who has missed the last six games with a shoulder problem, appears to be on course for a place in the squad for the Hampden spectacle, as CQN reported earlier today.
And there could be a spot for Republic of Ireland Under-21 frontman Johnny Kenny in the league matches against the Easter Road side, the Dons at Pittodrie and St Mirren at Parkhead a week on Saturday.
The youngster had 11 minutes at Ibrox after replacing Adam Idah. He is still searching for his first competitive goal for the Hoops.
