REPORT: An incoming star revival alleviates Celtic’s defense injury crisis.

Celtic’s injury woes in central defense are diminishing as Nat Phillips and Cameron Carter-Vickers continue to make progress.

Phillips has missed two games after injuring his ankle against Dundee on his debut, but the on-loan Liverpool defender might return in Saturday’s crucial Premiership match against Motherwell at Fir Park.

The reinstatement of the centre-back is a good boost for manager Brendan Rodgers, as Gustaf Lagerbielke’s European suspension would otherwise leave Liam Scales as the club’s only fit central defender for next Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Lazio.

“Nat Phillips we are keeping an eye on, he has rejoined the group but we just need to make sure with his ankle,” Rodgers stated. But that appears to be much better. Hopefully (he’ll return) for the weekend.

Carter-Vickers is also working his way back from a hamstring injury, while Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki are further behind.”Cam is coming back in to rejoin the training group but he is not going to be ready until after the international break, I would suspect,” Rodgers stated.

The Celtic boss will decide who will replace the suspended Joe Hart at Fir Park.

After Hart was sent off in the first half of Celtic’s 3-0 win over Livingston on Saturday, Scott Bain came off the bench and kept a clean sheet, but Benjamin Siegrist is another alternative.

“We’ll look at it between Scott and Benji,” Rodgers said. Both of the guys work extremely hard every day, so we will reach an agreement.

 

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O’Riley wins it for Celtic deep in injury time

 

Celtic edged Motherwell 2-1 in a tense finale at Fir Park as Matt O’Riley celebrated his new contract with a winner seven minutes into stoppage time.Blair Spittal had equalized for Motherwell two minutes earlier, after Celtic replacement Luis Palma had scored his first goal in the 87th minute.

After each of the late goals, there were fans on the field, and missiles flew between the two groups of fans after O’Riley’s winner.

The game had been tense throughout, and Scott Bain, who was filling in for the suspended Joe Hart, produced two good saves when the game remained scoreless.

On the morning of the game, O’Riley’s new four-year contract was announced, and he proved his worth by converting a cushioned volley.

At halftime, Yang was replaced by James Forrest, and Celtic began to play with more energy in the final third. Taylor and Gustaf Lagerbielke were unable to capitalize on half-chances.Motherwell increased their possession tempo and put the ball in the net after Bevis Mugabi battled Bain on a high ball.

On the lone, Stephen O’Donnell knocked the ball off Mugabi before hitting home the rebound, and the offside flag was raised. If the winger had scored first, Mugabi’s challenge might not have been penalized.

Taylor set up Daizen Maeda on the edge of the box for Celtic’s greatest chance so far, but the Japanese forward blasted over with only Kelly to beat.