Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers feels they are going into Saturday’s Hampden showdown with unbeaten Aberdeen in ideal shape after a good day on and off the park for his squad.
Second-half goals from Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels kept Celtic on top of the William Hill Premiership thanks to a 2-0 home win over Dundee.
Celtic were without the injured Callum McGregor, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah but all three are expected to be fit to face the Dons in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, with the latter getting good news from a scan on the ankle injury he suffered at Motherwell on Sunday.
“All three will be fine,” Rodgers said. “Nicolas Kuhn had a sore hip after the game at the weekend. But he trained earlier, so that was good. Callum as well, and Adam also. We’ll see their reaction. Hopefully, it will be all right.
“I think he’s got away with one there, Adam. He’s still a bit sore, a bit swollen, but the medical team tell me he’s done a bit of work. So, hopefully no reaction to it.”
Both Celtic and Aberdeen moved nine points ahead of Rangers after the Dons beat the Light Blues 2-1 at Pittodrie.
When asked if he was surprised it was Jimmy Thelin’s side and not Rangers who were proving to be their main challengers, Rodgers said: “Listen, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start. That’s a really good result for them. But as I’m sure you can respect, my focus is very much on Celtic.
“Our guys have made a brilliant start also, in terms of how they’ve been playing, the goals they’ve been scoring, secure defensively in the main and in a really good position in the Champions League.
“But it’s still so early. My first marker is after 10 games. And if I look at it after 10 games, then we’ve made a really good start. Aberdeen are there as well, but there’s still such a long way to go.
“I love going to Hampden and we’re in a really good place arriving into there. We’ve got players coming back and hopefully it’ll be a really exciting game.”
Rodgers made six changes for Dundee’s visit and was pleased with the outcome.
“It’s one of those ones where you can be more comfortable in the game if you get those early goals with two massive chances in that first period of the game,” he said.
“But it was job done. We controlled the game, created chances, should have had more goals and didn’t concede. So we have to be happy.”
Dundee manager Tony Docherty felt his side were harshly treated by referee Ross Hardie and his VAR team after conceding a penalty for a foul on Kyogo Furuhashi from Antonio Portales.
The visitors claimed Arne Engels had pulled Mohamad Sylla before breaking and playing the ball through for the Japan striker.
“I thought the boys deserved a clean sheet for the amount of work they put in out of possession,” he said.
“I think the penalty is really soft. I think there’s a foul that leads up to it on Mo Sylla. I don’t know why they don’t pick that up. I’ve seen it back.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal 3-0 Nottm Forest Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Pray for City! Club football is back Harry Kane recreated the Bundesliga logo When you order Jack Grealish on Wish This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The France striker has been linked with Manchester United in recent days.And as he battles to work his way into Chelsea's starting XI this season, Nkunku is said to be considering his options.United and PSG have both been linked with the striker.But the Athletic says Chelsea have ruled out parting with Nkunku in January....
Diomande has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.Andersen coached the defender with Midtjylland U19s and told O Jogo: “I can understand that there is a lot of enthusiasm around Diomande and that big clubs are after him, because he has been very well. "They're crazy values, you've reached a point where you start to wonder if they belong there. I talk to...
Trivela says Real are considering a move for the Brazilian veteran in January.Real management recognise the retirement of Toni Kroos has left a massive void, which has led to discussions about bringing Casemiro back to the club.It's believed Casemiro would have a big impact on the pitch and in the dressing room at Real, which are struggling for consistency this season.The 32 year-old left Real for...
Arsenal and Liverpool to lock horns in January for ZubimendiReal Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool, but Arsenal are reportedly keen on rivalling the Merseyside club for his signature. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are preparing a second bid for the standout player, with a January transfer seen as a strong possibility. They are determined to land Zu...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 5 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 6 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 7 Andy Robertson marks 80th Scotland cap with stoppage-time winner in Poland
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Harry Kane’s ‘fugly’ £7,200 statue branded ‘stuff of nightmares’ unveiled
- 10 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits