With the Old Firm game coming up straight after the international break, the last thing Celtic need is an injury scare to one of their key defenders.
Celtic know that victory over the Auld Enemy on Sunday lunchtime will see them have a 13 point gap to their rivals, and leave them just three wins away from retaining the title for the eighth successive season.
Seeing Mikael Lustig leave the field after just 24 minutes of Sweden’s game against Romania on Saturday will be a major concern for Neil Lennon, who already has Kieran Tierney doubtful.
Added to that is the mystery surrounding Dedryck Boyata, who the Daily Record report, suddenly withdrew from the Belgian squad for “personal reasons”.
Lustig, whose contract runs out at the end of May, played at centre back in the Bhoys’ last game, having played for most of the season in his preferred right-back position, and his versatility will be missed if he is not fit.
It remains to be seen what the official word is about Boyata, but with no indication that he has picked up a knock, Lennon will be hoping to have the Belgian in his squad this weekend.
There is little doubt that Celtic will go on to claim yet another league title, regardless of the result this weekend, but any game against Rangers is always hugely important, and defeat will not be an option.
It speaks volumes of Celtic’s dominance that — even with a spate of injuries — the Hoops would still be favourites to see off a Rangers side that sit second in the table, but a long way off the side that used to see the title race as a two-horse race until the end.
But until their hands are mathematically on the trophy, Lennon will want every senior player fit and at his disposal.
What are your thoughts ahead of the Old Firm clash this weekend Celtic fans? Are you concerned about Lustig’s injury? Let us know…
