Celtic handed huge injury blow ahead of Rangers clash as five key players ruled by Brendan Rodgers

Celtic handed huge injury blow ahead of Rangers clash as five key players ruled by Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media ahead of the Old Firm this weekend.

Fans were keen to hear from the manager after it had been spotted that four players, including Daizen Maeda, were missing from training ahead of the Rangers match.

Bhoys’ supporters had already been aware of Jota’s injury, which came as Celtic steamed to the league title at the weekend.

However, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston missing training raised alarm bells.

Although the league title is won, Celtic will be as keen as ever to beat Rangers, especially having lost their last two matches against their bitter rivals.

Therefore fans have been eager to hear the update Brendan Rodgers has just delivered.

Brendan Rodgers gives injury update on five key players

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s match against Rangers, Brendan Rodgers confirmed fans’ worst fears as he stated Jota will be out for six to nine months.

He said: “Obviously it’s the cruciate and it was worse than we’d hoped. He starts on his journey of recovery from that now, but yes, somewhere between six and nine months.”

However, it’s better news for Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn, as Rodgers confirmed they should be OK for the Glasgow Derby.

“Daizen should be fine and Nicolas was out. We’re just assessing him. He had a slight issue with his knee but he should be okay. We had the scan on that, it’s just a little bit of bruising but he should be okay.”

The boss said Yang Hyun-jun is also returning after a spell on the sidelines.

“Yang is back training with the squad so we’ll give him one more day tomorrow then we’ll see if he’s going to be available for the squad.”

The manager ruled out Alistair Johnston however, with the right-back being managed ahead of the Scottish Cup final later in the month.

He said: “Ali Johnston won’t be available. Ali’s been needing an injection into his hip that he’s had for a period of time to ensure he was ready for the cup final and have enough preparation.”

“We decided we would do that after the Dundee United game, so that puts him out of the weekend and most probably the St Mirren game.”

“That gives him a few weeks to be ready and available for the cup final.”

Fans react to Jota’s brutal injury lay-off

The biggest news of the entire injury update was the severity of Jota’s injury, which has left fans floored.

The Portuguese winger only rejoined the Bhoys in January, but an ACL injury will see him out of action until 2026.

Some fans have pointed out it could transform the club’s recruitment strategy, so close to the summer window opening.

https://x.com/90MinuteCynic/status/1918296995493560689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1918296995493560689%7Ctwgr%5E6291c4c6f34269258237951380954ba971a602ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.67hailhail.com%2Fnews%2Fbrendan-rodgers-confirms-celtic-fans-worst-fears-as-boss-delivers-five-huge-injury-updates%2F

One added: “Gutting news about Jota. A striker always had to be one of the priorities this summer, now a winger is as well, even if Kuhn doesn’t go, I’d argue.”

Another supporter has one specific target in mind: “Jota out for nine months meaning we need two wingers this summer. Go get Jayden Nelson, I demand it.”

While one fan has really suffered all round today:

https://x.com/_Lennon1967/status/1918291902572404925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1918291902572404925%7Ctwgr%5E6291c4c6f34269258237951380954ba971a602ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.67hailhail.com%2Fnews%2Fbrendan-rodgers-confirms-celtic-fans-worst-fears-as-boss-delivers-five-huge-injury-updates%2F

No word so far from Jota himself, but hopefully he manages a speedy recovery and is back on the wing before too long.