Celtic must not risk Tierney and Rogic with Europa League

By Jay Williams

Celtic have a couple of injury doubts ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership clash with Hamilton Academical.

In the early kick-off tomorrow, Celtic travel to Hamilton hoping to cement their place at the top of the league.

But with a crucial Europa League game coming up next Thursday, Brendan Rodgers will already be thinking ahead to that clash.

Rodgers has a dilemma concerning two of his key players, who both picked up knocks during the international break.

Kieran Tierney had to withdraw from Scotland duty, while Tom Rogic picked up an injury while with Australia.

Both players are doubts for the Hamilton match and Rodgers simply cannot afford to risk these two players with Thursday night’s game looming.

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

On Thursday evening, Celtic travel to Norway, where they face Rosenborg.

Celtic need to win this game. With two matches remaining, the Bhoys are in third place in their Europa League group but sit level on points with Red Bull Leipzig.

Rosenborg are yet to pick up a point in the Europa League so Celtic will fancy their chances.

But all away games are tricky in Europe and Rodgers needs a full-strength side.

Tierney’s left-back alternative is Emilio Izaguirre, who is not the same calibre of player. And Rogic has that special touch; he is the man who can create something out of nothing to change a game.

These players need to be rested against Hamilton to ensure they are fresh for Rosenborg.