Oh Hyeon-gyu is expected to be out of action for the next 4-6 weeks due to a calf injury.
That time span covers all of the matches up to the September international break and highlights the lack of striking options open to Brendan Rodgers.
Daizen Maeda impressed playing through the centre during Celtic’s pre-season matches in Japan but that would leave the hoops short on the left wing.
Fortunately there are no midweek matches during Oh’s injury absence but it does highlight the dependency on Kyogo Furuhashi.
During pre-season Rodgers mentioned managing Kyogo’s shoulder injury, that issue becomes vital as the club’s medical team manage Oh back to full fitness.
🟥 Facing Aberdeen, Robson & Hayes
🩹 Oh set for a spell on the sidelines
🌍 Benefit of avoiding CL qualifiers
⬅️ Starfelt set for Celta Vigo medical
📝 Latest on potential signingsHear from Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers ahead of Sunday’s trip to Celtic, live on Sky Sports ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/b447gI3wiN
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 9, 2023
Let’s look at your team are there any doubts in terms of injuries?
No, although Oh has picked up a bit of a knock and he’s probably going to be out for a few weeks. He did recognise that he had it and he played through it for a few days. He has a slight problem with his calf but apart from that they are all fine. Some of the boys who are just coming back are doing well in their rehabilitation but they are not quite ready yet. Other than that the squad will be the same.
Later in the all-in media conferences Rodgers estimated the absence to be 4-6 weeks, explaining that the calf knock was suffered against Athletic Bilbao but only became a real problem on Sunday following the 4-2 win over Ross County.
Oh moved to Celtic in January to replace Giorgos Giakoumakis and had a promising spell for a 21-year-old switching continent in mid-season.
Seven goals was a decent return with most of his appearances coming off the bench as a replacement for Kyogo.
Against Athetic Bilbao the former Suwon Samsung striker looked sharp and mobile, dropping deep to collect and distribute the ball while team-mates took advantage of the space that he created.
Fortunately he has been able to get all of his pre-season training in although a 4-6 week break is never ideal at the start of the season.
After the Glasgow derby on September 3 Celtic aren’t back in action until September 16 which should tie in with the striker returning to action.
Maeda certainly looked the part in pre-season, scoring a first half hat-trick when he returned to Yokohama F Marinos but is largely untried in the Scottish game.
Liel Abada is another option to play through the centre but as things stand there are only two genuine strikers available to Rodgers.
With three weeks to go in the transfer window Rodgers is expecting players to be moving in and out, with Kyogo as the clear first choice striker and recently extending his contract it is a difficult task trying to find someone of sufficient quality that knows they won’t be joining as a first pick.
MEANWHILE
Elfsborg coach Stefan Andreasson has admitted to dialogue between the two clubs but not negotiations for his central defender.
When Rodgers was asked on Saturday about Carl Starfelt’s expected move to Celta Vigo he admitted that a replacement would have to be brought in.
Lagerbiekle seems to fit the bill, even having the same agent but until any deal is over the line it is unlikely that any Celtic manager will provide an update on how close a transfer is to completion.
CLICK HERE for the update on Lagerbiekle.
