Ange Postecoglou sets up midweek Flight Watch

Ange Postecoglou has added ‘flight watch’ to the build up for Wednesday’s Glasgow derby. 

Tom Rogic and Daizen Maeda are involved in World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday which leaves the door open- and more than 24 hours to play with- for them to be involved in the top of the table Premiership match. 

Japan’s home match against Saudi Arabia finishes around noon on Tuesday with Australia’s match in Oman ending about 6pm. 

A starting place for either player seems highly unlikely but with nine substitutes available and five able to be used there is a chance that Rogic or Hatate could be in Postecoglou’s derby plans. 

Discussing the logistics involved, the Celtic boss told the Daily Record: 

I think they both play the day before. If they both play, you are not going to play two games in 48 hours, or 24 hours. 

It’s unlikely. On a manager’s salary, I don’t have a private jet that might be able to get them here. A lot of that will depend on whether they have played. 

I expect Tommy will play most definitely because Australia have a big game. Daizen played on Thursday, so a lot will depend on them playing. It’s a possibility, but if they have played the night before, even if we can get them here on time, it’s still hard. 

Coming back to Scotland from international duty can be a wearying experience, if Australia were playing at home Rogic’s possible involvement could be ruled out. 

A seven hour flight from Oman to London could change things but even in a private jet or flying business class stepping off a World Cup qualifier onto an overnight flight isn’t the best preparation for a vital domestic match.