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Deila- Watt might get some minutes

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WattTony Watt is set to play his first Celtic game in 11 months when the hoops face KR Reykjavik tonight at Murrayfield.

The 20-year-old was sent on loan to Lierse last season but almost instantly found out that he wasn’t a favourite of coach Stanley ‘Bonkers’ Menzo.

Despite scoring regularly and being popular among fans and team-mates Watt was banished to train with the reserves for the final months of last season.

Deila tried to take Watt on loan to Stromsgodset but was prevented by the two club rule- tonight however he looks like getting his first look at the former Airdrie striker in competitive action.

“We will see,” the hoops boss replied to the question of whether Watt, who didn’t travel to Iceland last week, would play. “He has special skills and he has something extra. He can score goals – we have seen that in training.

“He is training well now and he looks fitter. He has had a little bit of trouble with his thigh. He is not ready for 90 minutes but he might get some minutes.”

While his team-mates were winning 1-0 in Iceland Watt played for 90 minutes as a Celtic development XI beat Stenhousemuir 5-1.

A niggling thigh injury ruled the striker out of the weekend draw with Dynamo Dresden but all going well Watt will see some game time tonight.

Watt’s loan spell to Belgium, and fall-out with Menzo, seems to have sparked an industry of rumours but Deila has never hidden his appreciation for the players ability.

Scoring against Barcelona in 2012 has assured the then 18-year-old of his place in Celtic’s history- tonight he can go some way to earning a place in Deila’s plans for the season ahead. 

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