Celtic team news and potential starters ahead of Hearts clash with big returns confirmed

Celtic take on Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday looking to pick up three points and move further ahead of second-placed Rangers in the table.

A spirit helping triumph at home to Feyenoord on Wednesday night has placed late troublesome structure into the rearview mirror and everybody is trusting the Bhoys can now push on.

Brendan Rodgers was not on media obligations in front of Saturday’s 3pm start up, yet associate John Kennedy stepped in and give us a few reports on central participants.

Celtic squad boosted for Hearts match

The manager has two key players who are back in contention for a spot in the match squad for tomorrow. Tomoki Iwata is the only player who is still out with an injury after the Champions League victory.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda have been working out with the Celtic team all week at Lennoxtown, and Kennedy has said that they could play against the Jam Tarts.

Given that he has only been out of action for about a week, Carter-Vickers is possibly the most likely candidate to start.

Maeda has been a more extended term nonattendance so Rodgers might well choose to open him to football off the seat at first, with chances to begin against Livingston, Dundee, Officers and St Mirren not too far off.

After making an appearance as a substitute against the Dutch, Paulo Bernardo may get more game time. Iwata limped out of the midweek match in the first half because he hasn’t been seen in training in a few days.
More Celtic Stories Luis Palma is available despite being substituted out, which is a relief.
Feyenoord v. Celtic FC: David Turnbull and Odin Holm are also contenders to feature if Iwata does not make it, and Reo Hatate is still weeks away from returning to matches. Image by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

With a week off before the start of the holiday season next weekend, Rodgers is expected to select his strongest eleven. The rest of the eleven should pick themselves.