Hoops boss is happy to see the return of record-breaking striker
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was delighted to announce that striker Kasper Hogh and defender Kieran Tierney are returning to full fitness ahead of their trip to St Johnstone as he also outlined his high expectations for Chelsea loanee hitman Shim Mheuka.
Record-breaking £11m signing Hogh has been out of action with a thigh issue he picked up in their Champions League play-off defeat to LASK Linz last month, while Tierney picked up a similar knock in the following Premiership match against Falkirk - however, in a double injury boost, both are set to return this week.
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The return of two key men comes at an ideal time for the Celtic boss ahead of an intense run of fixtures before the international break. After their trip to Perth, the Hoops will face Rangers twice in a week as well Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League. O’Neill also name-checked Mheuka as a player who could be important in the coming weeks after a bright start to his Celtic career.
Striker could return for St Johnstone.placeholder image
Striker could return for St Johnstone. | Getty Images
Hoops dealt double injury boost
Ahead of their trip to Perth, O’Neill said: "We've got Kasper back the last couple of days and Kieran (Tierney) did a little bit of work with us, so we'll have a look to see how they are. We've got a couple of other fitness issues with players, but will try to go as strongly as we possibly can.”
If Hogh is ready for McDiarmid Park, the manager will have a selection headache to ponder given that fellow new forward Camilo Duran has been on top of his game through the middle, with five goal contributions in three games since Hogh’s knock.
The unfortunate fitness record of Tierney means his minutes will have to be managed going forward. The Scotland international remains the only current out and out left back in the squad. Centre back Liam Scales has been covering in his absence.
Striker signed on loan from Chelsea last week.placeholder image
Striker signed on loan from Chelsea last week. | Getty Images
O’Neill on high Mheuka expectations
The 18-year old striker was desperately unlucky not to open his Celtic account in last week’s 2-1 victory away to St Mirren after his late composed finish was chopped off by VAR offside. Despite his disappointment in Paisley, O’Neill is confident he’ll get off the mark soon and is expecting big things of the England youth international. He continued: "I expect decent things of Shim - I expect him to do well.
"He's just getting to know the players. He's getting to know what's expected of him in terms of style of play, what we do with the ball and what we do without it. It's essentially what he does with the ball that will determine not only his time here, but his future in the game and he looks a player. We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season."