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Celtic: Pundit makes claim about Diego Laxalt’s chances of playing in the Old Firm derby

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Image for Celtic: Pundit makes claim about Diego Laxalt’s chances of playing in the Old Firm derby

Pundit Kevin Graham has recently made a claim about the possibility of Diego Laxalt featuring in the upcoming Old Firm derby.

Graham was a guest on the latest episode of the ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Bhoys. One player that they talked about was new Celtic signing Laxalt, who has arrived on loan from Milan. Graham discussed the possibility of the Uruguayan featuring for the club in the Old Firm derby, and believes that it all depends on the 27-year-old’s fitness and how much he has integrated into the team.

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Laxalt is a left-back by trade but can also play on the left side of the midfield and in central midfield. Before arriving at Parkhead, Laxalt was an unused substitute in every single game that Milan played in all competitions this season (as per Transfermarkt).

Speaking on Laxalt’s potential inclusion in the Old Firm derby, which takes place following next week’s international break, Graham said: “It will probably all depend on his fitness. And I don’t know if he is away with Uruguay over the next fortnight, so it will depend on his fitness, it will depend on his attitude, it will depend on how he integrates with the squad.

Will Laxalt feature in the Old Firm derby?

Yes

Yes

No

No

“Neil and the coaching staff have been a bit reluctant to throw a guy straight in, unlike Martin O’Neill.”

TIF Thoughts…

Considering that Laxalt was on the bench in every single game for Milan this season, there may be questions over whether he is fit and ready to play. Laxalt hasn’t been called up to international duty by Uruguay, who face Chile and Ecuador during the international break.

The Old Firm derby will be played on 17th October and if Laxalt is indeed fit, it might come down to how much he has integrated with his new teammates by that point. Greg Taylor is already well established at left-back though, so Lennon might prefer to go with a tried-and-tested option in an important game.

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European Football Writer. Contributed for FootballItalia, Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, Calciomercato, GFFN and more.