Brendan Rodgers is understood to have dropped Nat Phillips from the Celtic side for tonight’s match against Feyenoord.
The on loan Liverpool defender has been unconvincing in his appearances for the hoops culminating in a difficult afternoon at Kilmarnock on Sunday where he put through his own net to equalise for the Ayrshire side.
Cameron Carter-Vickers took part in training yesterday but Rodgers has decided to hold the former Spurs defender back from tonight’s match with Saturday’s visit from Hearts the target for his return to action.
Phillips replaced Carter-Vickers at half-time in last week’s 4-1 home win over Hibs. Although it was a comfortable win in the end the defending was far from convincing after the break with Phillips badly at fault for the visitors goal from Christian Doidge.
With Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki all picking up injuries over an eight day period Celtic were forced into bringing in a defender on loan during the final week of the summer transfer window.
Phillips seemed to have the perfect profile, a member of Jurgen Klopp’s impressive squad in need of matches but like many others from the EPL he has struggled with the different demands of playing for Celtic.
With Liam Scales emerging from the sidelines Phillips has started just four matches with a return to Anfield on the cards next month.
Scales will start his sixth Champions League match of the season tonight with either Welsh or Gus Lagerbielke on his right as the hoops look to finish a disappointing campaign with a morale boosting win.
Nawrocki was left out of the squad Celtic registered for the Champions League with UEFA.
