OPINION
Celtic turn their attention back to the Premiership after their Betfred Cup semi-final win over Hearts at the weekend, and manager Brendan Rodgers has several injuries to contend with.
Among those potentially out is key midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who played just 45 minutes of their 3-0 win over Hearts at Murrayfield after being withdrawn with a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old Frenchman had been rated as a doubt for their visit to Dens Park on Wednesday, with Rodgers providing an update on the situation at the pre-match press conference.
As quoted by the club’s official Twitter account, Rodgers revealed that Ntcham is set for a late fitness test to determine his readiness to play against the Dark Blues.
?? BR: "@Tom_Rogic's available and will be in our squad tomorrow. @OlivierNtcham we just need to wait 24 hours to see where he’s at. @ebouekouassi97 as well." #DUNCEL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 30, 2018
While it will no doubt be tempting to include Ntcham in his squad on Wednesday, with the former Manchester City midfielder becoming such a key part of this Hoops side, but Rodgers must not do so.
Hamstring injuries are so easily aggravated, and rushing him back into action after just three days seems a foolhardy decision which could have grave consequences.
Celtic quite easily have the resources to cope without Ntcham for one game, especially against a Dundee side who look nailed-on for relegation this season.
The risk of playing him and seeing him break down and be ruled out for a longer period of time is simply too high, and Rodgers must disappoint fans by leaving Ntcham out on Wednesday.
There are far more important and challenging games to come in the next few weeks, and the Hoops need Ntcham to be fit and firing for those.
Rodgers must therefore rest Ntcham on Wednesday in a decision which will come as a surprise to many but pay back dividends later on in the season.