As Celtic gear up to welcome back their key players onto the pitch, the injury concerns in the city seem to be mounting.

Echoing the sentiments shared earlier today, Chris Sutton is optimistic that Brendan Rodgers will soon have his top eleven players back in action just in time for a crucial phase in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

Reo Hatate showcased his form in a friendly match during the recent international break, while the return of Callum McGregor is also imminent.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers reaching full fitness and Kyogo playing a significant role, Celtic are poised to unleash their championship-winning core as they eye silverware.

Meanwhile, the title race intensifies between Celtic and Rangers. Reports from The Daily Record indicate that Rangers are grappling with injury setbacks, with Ridvan Yilmaz being the latest casualty after picking up a thigh injury during Turkey’s game against Hungary.

Yilmaz joins the list of six sidelined players including Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell, and Danilo, all expected to miss their upcoming matches post the break.

With Yilmaz being a key figure in Philippe Clement’s plans and having featured prominently for his club this season, his absence poses another hurdle for Rangers.

Up next, Rangers will face Hibernian at home before locking horns with Celtic. On the other hand, Celtic will embark on a trip to Livingston before the highly anticipated derby clash in Govan.

Should Celtic emerge victorious in both encounters, extending their dominance from previous wins at West Lothian and Ibrox this season, they could potentially secure a comfortable lead of at least four points before Rangers play their postponed match against Dundee mid-week.

The availability of Rodgers’ top players and the relatively few injury concerns could play a pivotal role in the final weeks of the season, particularly if their rivals show signs of fatigue.