Celtic facing winger shortage as Brendan Rodgers confirms imminent MLS departure

Celtic face a shortage of wingers for Saturday’s William Hill Premiership encounter against Ross County in Dingwall.

Nicolas Kuhn is set to miss out with the thigh issue that forced him to withdraw from the team to face Dundee United on Wednesday moments before kick-off.

Daizen Maeda, who scored one and set up the other goal in a 2-0 win, has also picked up a minor strain, while Luis Palma will miss out along with James Forrest, who picked up a foot injury in the Premier Sports Cup final last month.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during a training session at Lennoxtown on Friday. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers said: “Daizen has obviously played a lot of football and just felt something that we didn’t want to aggravate. He’s gone for a scan so it’s not too serious but it just rules him out of this game.

“And likewise with Nicholas, he felt something just in the warm-up, had the scan, nothing too serious, but just too much of a risk and he won’t be able to go this weekend.

“So keep them here, get them treatment and then we’ll assess them for Tuesday’s game (against Dundee).

“Luis Palma sadly had a bereavement overnight so he won’t travel with the squad. James Forrest is still out.”

The blows leave Rodgers with only Yang Hyun-jun as an experienced winger. Luke McCowan played out wide earlier in his career while Rodgers could change formation to play two up front.

“Listen, I just think at this moment in time, and throughout the season, there’s never a perfect situation, whether it’s pitches, squad, injuries,” he said.

“You can’t wait for everything to be perfect. We have a good squad of players and we will go on to the game with the mentality to win, whoever is playing.”

Kyogo is not heading to the MLS but one Celtic player is. | Getty Images

Meanwhile, Rodgers admitted he was a “wee bit surprised” to hear that the Major League Soccer website had mistakenly put up a story claiming Atlanta United had acquired Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi, before taking the article down and apologising.

“I can guarantee he’s on the coach and he’s travelling to Ross County so he’s certainly not in the MLS,” Rodgers said.

“Listen, you know in this period of time there’s always lots of gossip and speculation around so many players, and especially talented players. So I’m sure that will continue to be the case over the coming weeks.”

Rodgers confirmed Odin Thiago Holm was on his way out on loan with Los Angeles FC his destination, and he remains relaxed about his search for fresh attacking threat in the transfer window.

“We’re very hopeful that we can get players in that we would like, but availability and the affordability of players is always something that is a challenge in this month,” said Rodgers.

“But I’m fairly confident that we will be able to bring in the necessary changes to the squad that can help us.”