Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed a double injury boost with Dedryck Boyata and Stuart Armstrong both available to play in the Old Firm derby v Rangers on Sunday.
The Hoops head into the clash with their lead at the top of the Premiership table cut down to six points by the Light Blues, although Rodgers and his men have a game in hand on their rivals.
Both sides are coming in off the back of big wins in the Scottish Cup over Championship sides, with the Hoops beating Greenock Morton 3-0 and the Gers beating Falkirk 4-1.
Rodgers has now revealed that his side are in line for a double injury boost after both Boyata and Armstrong returned to full training this week.
Boyata has been missing for six games since sustaining a knee injury in a 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock on the 3rd of February.
Armstrong on the other hand had to have surgery on a hernia problem which has kept him out of action for the whole of 2018 so far.
Rodgers confirmed the massive boost in the pre-match press conference, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account:
?? BR on injuries: “Dedryck is back and has been training really well. Stuart Armstrong is back too which is great news for us and he comes back into the squad."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 9, 2018
OPINION
Boyata’s return will be a big boost for Celtic’s defence, which has not been on it’s best form recently. Armstrong has been another big loss for the Hoops in midfield, although it is doubtful that he will come straight back into the team for such a big game. Celtic are under pressure this weekend as a loss would see their lead at the top of the table cut to just three points, and getting a positive result will be key to stopping this Rangers resurgence in its tracks.