In The Know reporter gives injury update on Liel Abada and Jota

There is contrasting news from David Friel in The Sun about the fitness of Liel Abada and Jota.

At the start of this season those two were Ange Postecoglou preferred starters on the wing but both missed last week’s win at Kilmarnock and seem unlikely to be involved at home to Motherwell tomorrow.

Next Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden is the fixture in most folk’s mind with a victory in that match making Ange Postecoglou’s side overwhelming favourites to win another treble.

Late on Thursday night, writing in The Sun Friel reported:

LIEL ABADA has handed Celtic a major Scottish Cup boost by returning to training.

But Jota could miss Saturday’s clash with Motherwell after sitting out last week’s win over Kilmarnock.

Abada has been out since picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Israel last month.

But the 21-year-old, linked with Ajax and Benfica this week, did light work with Ange Postecoglou’s squad at Lennoxtown on Thursday.

SunSport understands Abada is unlikely to be risked against Well.

But he will step up his fitness push as he eyes next Sunday’s semi-final with Rangers.

Postecoglou is already without James Forrest, while fellow winger Jota missed last week’s trip to Rugby Park. Key midfielder Reo Hatate has also been out with a muscle problem.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is expected to undergo surgery to cure a long-standing injury before the end of the season. But the defender trained as normal this week and is available for Celtic’s upcoming games.

An injury update is likely to be the first question put to Postecoglou at today’s lunchtime media conference.

Without Abada, Jota, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers Celtic are still able to list a strong Starting XI but the substitute bench does look lightweight, last week at Kilmarnock Rocco Vata and Ben Summers came off the bench with neither having started a competitive match.

In February 2021 Friel broke the news that Neil Lennon was about to resign 10 hours ahead of the Stock Market announcement.