All the Celtic focus is now on Sunday’s match against the Rangers at Hampden Park. Europe and the Premiership are put to one side briefly as Brendan Rodgers prepares his squad for the Scottish League Cup final. A first chance this season to add another trophy to the club's mammoth collection. That's always a key point in the campaign.
Rodgers will want to make the most of the extended recovery period for his players. Their game against Dinamo Zagreb was on Tuesday and gave them plenty of time to prepare this week.
Rodgers would have had a close eye on his right-back Alastair Johnson though. The manager would have been hoping that the extra time would help ensure the player would be fit and available to face the Rangers this weekend.
Johnson picked up a hip injury in the first half against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday. Rodgers made the decision not to take a risk, withdrew the right-back at halftime and brought on Anthony Ralston to replace him. That left some concern over whether the Canadian international would be available for Sunday. Those worries increased when reports indicated that he missed training on Thursday.
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Of course, Ralston would be available to step in as he has done several times in the past. He’s not seen as as good a player as Johnston and does not have too many games under his belt this season so far. But the Celtic academy graduate has played in a run of international matches for Scotland recently and turned in good performances.
Fortunately, there seems to be some good news surrounding Johnston as well. Rodgers seems to have no injury concerns with his squad for Sunday. As reported by Football Scotland, the manager said:
"The squad is healthy - we expect Ali [Johnston] to be okay. He was out on the pitches this afternoon, so we should have everyone fit and available.
"[He had] an extra bit of recovery. Naturally, he's been an outstanding player for us over the course of his time here, and in particular this season. He's been instrumental in our work.
"Speaking to him earlier, and out on the pitch he was fine so we expect him to be okay."
There may still be a question mark over whether Johnston will start the match or take a spot on the bench. He is such a strength at the back and when going forward this season though that if he’s fit you'd expect him to be in the starting XI.