There’s no pre-match media conference today, instead Celtic pre-recorded a version relevant to tomorrow’s game after the midweek win over Livingston at Celtic Park, a sensible plan that allows Ange and the players more time with their families at this time of year.
So there’s no further update on injuries to players like Anthony Ralston and nothing further on whether Ange had an opportunity to sleep on his comments on Wednesday night about changes coming to the starting eleven after he was left frustrated at the performance, particularly in the offensive areas against David Martindale’s side.
Anthony Ralston receives medical treatment during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston on December 21, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ange was asked if the busy schedule would be a reason to look at rotating the squad after he made just one change in midweek for the side that started at Pittodrie with Liel Abada being preferred to Daizen Maeda for the match against Livingston.
“Yeah, I think that’s fair, based on how busy but also on performance,” Ange stated. “If guys aren’t performing to the levels we know they can there are some pretty good players that are not getting some game time. They are training hard and that’s why we have got a squad.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“You have to reward that at some point. That coupled with the fact we do have a busy schedule we will make some changes for the St Johnstone game because it will be a tough game for us,” the Celtic manager said.
On the visitors Ange was full of praise for their manager Callum Davidson, who of course won both cups the season before last and after a tougher campaign last season, which resulted in a play-off win over Inverness Caley Thistle to maintain their Premiership status, St Johnstone have been much more successful so far this season and are currently in joint fourth with title contenders Hearts and just a single point behind third placed Aberdeen.
“Callum is an excellent coach and he has them well organised and well drilled. We know every time we play them it’s a challenge, and it will be on Saturday,” Ange Postecoglou said. Here’s the makeshift media conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against St Johnstone.
