Celtic striker suffers injury blow as Brendan Rodgers responds to Gustaf Lagerbielke and Kieran Tierney links

Celtic have suffered a major injury blow with striker Oh Hyeon-gyu ruled out for up to six weeks with a calf problem.

The 22-year-old South Korea international originally picked up the injury in James Forrest’s testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao but did not declare it before taking his place on the bench for the cinch Premiership opener against Ross County at Parkhead on Saturday.

“Oh will probably be out for a few weeks,” said Hoops boss Rodgers, who refused to elaborate on Celtic’s interest in Swedish centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke, which had been revealed by Elfsborg manager Stefan Andreasson.

“He hurt his calf against Athletic Bilbao but no one knew and he trained on. He was involved in the game at the weekend and then he trained on the Sunday and afterwards he spoke to the medical team to say he felt his calf and it has ended up that he has a calf problem which might put him out for four to six weeks. So that’s where he is at.

Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a calf injury. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

“Apart from that, the injured guys are doing really well. Ali Johnston is back on the grass, running, working, he is increasing his intensity so that is really good news for us. Marco Tilio is also now out on the grass and moving well so we expect him to be another month or so away.”

Swedish central defender Carl Starfelt has been linked with a move to Celta Vigo after Rodgers confirmed at the weekend he was keen to move on, but the manager said: “It is progressing but nothing definitive to add on that.”

Asked if he could say reveal anything on Lagerbielke, the Northern Irishman said: “No. Clearly if we lose a centre-half I want to bring in another one, but I have got nothing to add.

“There’s probably be a few other names that will be mixed in there and if I spoke about every one we might be here for a little while. There is a number that we are looking at, but nothing definitive. There are other areas I would like to improve on.”

Asked about a potential return for Kieran Tierney amid speculation linking the Arsenal left-back with a loan move back to Celtic Park, Rodgers added: “I don’t speak on what ifs. There is speculation around many players coming into here. Naturally there is an association or link with Kieran because of his past here, and our past together, but there is nothing to add to that.”