Rami Gershon will make his Celtic debut tonight against Motherwell in an u-20 league match at Firhill, kick-off 7pm.
The Israeli defender joined Celtic on loan from Standard Liege until the end of the season but missed out on facing Steaua Bucharest through injury and was an unused substitute in the 4-1 win over Hearts.
Celtic have barely used the over-age rule in the u-20 league but with a heavy programme of fixtures coming up for the first team Gershon and Anthony Stokes could come into contention for tonight’s match.
A win over Motherwell would take Celtic to the top of the table a point clear of Dundee United despite dropping points to Inverness Caley Thistle and St Mirren in their last two outings.
Jamie Lindsay put Celtic in front in the first half against Caley Thistle last Tuesday but the visitors hit back after the break to level the scores.
“There has been a lot of changes to the team from game to game and that’s created some inconsistency,” coach John Kennedy explained.
“We’ve been fielding a lot of the younger players, hopefully from now on in they can put together a good run of winning performances.
“We know that they are good players, they are training well and it’s about gaining experience in games against older opponents and winning games.
“It’s still early in the season to be looking at league tables but we know that a win will take us above Dundee United.
“The players know what is expected at this club, traditionally we have been strong in the second half of the season and that’s what we are looking for.
“There’s a fair amount of fixtures to catch up on but hopefully we can get on a run and build some momentum.”
Injuries to Jackson Irvine, Callum McGregor and Filip Twardzik have hit the side hard, especially in midfield, but created opportunities for others.
Darnell Fisher and Bahrudin Atajic have become two of the most experienced players in the side with both players signing contract extensions at the end of December.
“They both deserve their deals and the bit of security that brings,” Kennedy added. “When you are young and coming out of contract you can sometimes get edgy, try too hard, and that shows through in your play.
“Darnell and Bahrudin have both developed well this season and have the opportunity to take that forward to the next stage
Bahrudin has developed brilliantly this season, he has a great touch, an eye for goal and good awareness.
“Darnell has taken his chance switching from being a defensive midfielder into an attacking right back. He’s strong in the tackle and loves getting forward to send in crosses.
“They’ve moved up from the youth squad to the development squad at Lennoxtown, with their new contracts they have the chance to kick on and take their careers further.
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