Gustaf Lagerbielke could possibly be in line for a swift Celtic debut after Stephen Welsh suffered a knock hours after his new four-year contract was introduced.
The Swedish central defender signed on Wednesday and will face Kilmarnock within the Viaplay Cup on Sunday after Cameron Carter-Vickers was dominated out with a hamstring subject.
Midfielder Reo Hatate may even be lacking in Ayrshire after selecting up a calf downside.
Welsh made his first look in 10 months when he changed Carter-Vickers at Pittodrie however his possibilities of getting an prolonged run have been positioned unsure.
“He picked up a little bit little bit of a knock right now which is a disgrace for him contemplating he has simply signed his deal,” boss Brendan Rodgers stated.
“However I’m actually happy for him. He’s a man that loves Celtic, loves enjoying right here. He has been an awesome participant inside the squad during the last variety of years. Possibly not performed as a lot as he would have favored however his coronary heart may be very a lot right here and I’m delighted for him that he has dedicated to signing.”
Rodgers didn’t know the way unhealthy the knock was and didn’t give many particulars on Carter-Vickers and Hatate apart from ruling them out of Sunday’s sport. Celtic host St Johnstone of their subsequent league match earlier than travelling to Ibrox on September 3.
Rodgers stated: “We simply should assess them and see how they’re over the approaching weeks.”
Lagerbielke performed his remaining sport for Elfsborg final Sunday, leaving them in pole place within the Swedish high flight after 19 matches after Celtic focused him as a alternative for one other Swede, Carl Starfelt.
“He has been enjoying so fitness-wise he’s high-quality,” stated Rodgers, who declined to touch upon reviews linking Celtic with strikes for Wolves winger Daniel Podence and Newcastle’s Ryan Fraser.
“He’s a highly-rated younger participant and I’m wanting ahead to seeing him play.
“The membership have an awesome pipeline of gamers in place. There’s at all times a plan if somebody is to maneuver on so he’s one who has been checked out for a very long time.”
Talking earlier than his harm, Welsh declared he was seeking to “kick on” underneath Rodgers.
The 23-year-old’s earlier contract was as a result of expire on the finish of this season and it regarded like his time along with his boyhood membership could be nearing an finish when he struggled for sport time underneath earlier boss Ange Postecoglou.
The Celtic academy graduate has been linked with strikes away from Parkhead in latest switch home windows however Rodgers spoke extremely of him after Sunday’s 3-1 win at Pittodrie.
“Signing a brand new contract for the membership that I’ve been introduced up on and have supported my complete life was, for me, a straightforward choice,” Welsh advised Celtic TV.
“It’s time for me to kick on now and hopefully I can have a number of good seasons. I wish to maintain bettering and proceed to play as many video games as I can, particularly with the supervisor in now. He’s been huge for me since he’s are available in.
“He’s one of many major causes that I wish to be on the membership and I’m simply wanting ahead to beginning the season correctly and going for it.”
Welsh has made 53 appearances for Celtic since his debut in February 2020 and can compete for a centre-back berth with latest signing Maik Nawrocki in addition to Carter-Vickers and Lagerbielke.
“At a membership of this stature, competitors for locations goes to be in every single place, all around the pitch,” he stated. “So for me it’s pure to maintain working laborious, maintain bettering and present that the supervisor can belief me to go in and play.
“Fortunately he’s achieved that thus far and now we’ll stay up for the season and hopefully extra alternatives to return. To be at Celtic is all I can ask for and I’ll give 100 per cent to the membership and hopefully do everybody proud.”
