A report in Football Insider claims that Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli faces a race against time to be fit for the Hoops Betfred League Cup final against Rangers on Sunday.
The issue is compounded by the fact that Greg Taylor, signed from Kilmarnock for £3m, is cup-tied and occasional make-shift full-back, Jonny Hayes has also just returned to training.
Bolingoli’s last competitive action was on the 2nd of November against Hibernian after suffering a hamstring injury. The nature of the Belgian’s injury means that, in normal circumstances, he would have a graded build up and re-integration into first-team training but these are not normal circumstances.
Celtic run the risk of Bolingoli suffering a setback were he to take the field at less than 100% fitness but may feel that it is a risk worth taking if they can then play Taylor in the coming weeks to allow him to recover fully afterwards.
Bolingoli had an indifferent start to the season but settled down with excellent display’s in the Europa League and the first derby of the season at Ibrox where he look assured in defence and confident in attack. The highest compliment that can be paid to him is that fans have had little reason to miss Kieran Tierney such has been the level of display that he has been producing.
Neil Lennon will be hoping that the medical staff give the thumbs up for Bolingoli to make the starting XI as he has become a settled member of Celtic’s back four making 22 appearances in total, however, the worst thing that could happen is the Parkhead gaffer having to shuffle his team and change tactics early on if he pulls up again in the first half.
Should Lennon risk Bolingoli at left-back for the cup final?
Yes
No
Celtic have a couple of players that are facing a race to be fit in time for 3pm on Sunday with Odsonne Edouard the most notable at present but it could be Bolingoli’s absence that causes Lennon the most problems if they are to continue their run of nine successive domestic trophies.