Celtic trio return to training ahead of League Cup final vs Rangers

Celtic received a major injury boost as three of their injured stars returned to first-team training ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final vs Rangers.

While the Hoops still have a game to play against Hamilton before Sunday, neither the players nor the fans cannot be blamed for having one eye on the showdown against Rangers in the Scottish League Final at Hampden. Both clubs have started the season in impressive fashion and the final is expected to be a very tight affair.

Rangers will be desperate to get their first major trophy since that 2011 and bring an end to one of the darkest periods in the club’s history. Standing in their path are eternal rivals, Celtic, who will do everything in their power to win a fourth straight League Cup while also making sure that their Glasgow neighbours trophy drought is extended even further.

And Neil Lennon’s men have received a major injury boost ahead of the final with three of their first-team stars returning to training. Odsonne Edouard, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Boli Bolingoli were pictured in first-team training today. The three have been out with injury for some time now.

The biggest boost will obviously be Odsonne Edouard. Celtic are very thin at striking depth at the moment with Leigh Griffiths just back from a long-term injury himself while Vakoun Issouf Bayo is out hurt as well. As a result, Lewis Morgan has been deployed in an unfamiliar no. 9 for the past two games. Edouard being back is certainly great news for the Hoops fans while Steven Gerrard has one more thing to worry about.

Boli Bolingoli’s return will solve a number of issues. Since his injury, Celtic have used Jonny Hayes and Greg Taylor at left-back. But unfortunately, Hayes is out now with an injury while Taylor is cup-tied leaving Lennon with a major headache. If the Belgian manages to be fully fit in time for the final, the Hoops will not have to look towards a makeshift left-back in such an important game.

Mohamed Elyounoussi also has been in amazing form since his loan move from Southampton, scoring 7 times while assisting a further 6 goals in just 12 appearances. Although Mikey Johnston is also starting to hit form and the battle between the two for the tarting left-wing spot is expected to be very interesting.

If all three of the stars are fit in time and start on Sunday then it would mean that Celtic can deploy a full strength squad for the first time in months.