Celtic assessed by opposition boss and Rangers man set for ‘extended’ spell on the sidelines

Celtic and Rangers both return to league action this weekend. The Glasgow pair were beaten in mid-week Champions League games by RB Leipzig and Liverpool respectively.

The Hoops take on 3rd place Hibernian at home on Saturday as they look to bounce back from their European loss. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, on the other hand, face an away trip to Motherwell on Sunday. Here is a look at the latest news regarding both clubs...

Lee Johnson assesses Celtic

Hibs boss Lee Johnson is expecting a ‘really big’ challenge away at Celtic. The Englishman is managing in Scotland for the first time this season having previously been at Oldham Athletic, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland.

He has told their official club website: “It’s a really big challenge. It’s not just the team you’re playing; it’s the stadium, it’s the ball boys – because they’re fantastic – and the tempo that Celtic create. We have to match the tempo, switch on to the opposition’s tempo, and then play our way.

“I know Parkhead is a difficult place to go, but we’re really excited to go and test ourselves. Can we create the same metrics in possession and out of possession that we had in our recent sequence of wins? If we do, then we give ourselves every chance of winning the game.”

Former Hoops man becomes a free agent

Calvin Miller, who rose up through the youth ranks of the Hoops, has become a free agent. The Scotsman has been released by National League side Chesterfield.

As per their official club website, the 24-year-old has left the club by ‘mutual consent’. He played five times for Celtic as a youngster before leaving in 2020 for Harrogate Town.

Manager Steve Cook commented: “Calvin is a cracking player. We felt that the time ws right so he can go and look for a football club closer to home. We wish him all the best, he is a fantastic lad.”

Rangers dealt fresh injury blow

Rangers could be without attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi for even longer which is a big blow. The Romania international has been out since January with a knee injury and according to a report by The Sun, his absence could be ‘extended’ amid a fresh setback.

The 23-year-old has been a key player since his move in 2019 from Genk. He has scored 15 goals in 86 appearances in all competitions and his team are missing him at the moment.

Left-back tipped for exit

Alan Hutton has tipped summer signing Ridvan Yilmaz to potentially depart on loan in his article for Football Insider. The left-back has struggled to make an impact since his move from Besiktas in the last transfer window.

Given his first-team struggles, Yilmaz could be set for a January exit with Turkish giants Galatasaray reportedly keen to lure the 21-year-old back to his homeland.

Hutton said: “It’s a strange situation. I think Rangers put out a lot of money in transfer fees to bring him in. I think it has taken him a little bit longer to settle.

“We are going to see more of him hopefully in the coming weeks, there are a lot of games coming up so there is opportunity for him to shine.

“I think if it goes the way it is going and (Borna) Barisic is going to be a regular starter then he might look to go out on loan.”