Celtic head into their match against St Johnstone this Saturday aiming to maintain their perfect start to the 2024/25 season. Under **Brendan Rodgers**, the Hoops have been in outstanding form, winning all eight of their matches across competitions, including Scottish Premiership victories and progression to the Scottish League Cup semi-final. With a crucial Champions League fixture against **Borussia Dortmund** on the horizon, this weekend’s game presents Celtic with an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table and keep the pressure on **Rangers**, who play on Sunday against Hibernian.
### Key Pre-Match Concerns:
1. **Cameron Carter-Vickers’ Fitness**:
The American defender has been managing a foot injury and missed last week’s game against Falkirk. With an eye on the vital match against Borussia Dortmund, Rodgers may face a difficult decision on whether to rest Carter-Vickers for St Johnstone to ensure he’s fully fit for the Champions League fixture. His defensive leadership will be crucial against Dortmund, so his status will likely be a focus in the pre-match press conference.
2. **Alistair Johnston’s Availability**:
Johnston has also been dealing with hamstring and back issues, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming games. Rodgers is likely to address his condition, along with possible squad rotation to manage key players’ fitness, particularly with Daizen Maeda and Kyogo potentially being rested to prepare for the midweek clash in Germany.
3. **Team Selection and Rotation**:
Rodgers hinted last week that he may have over-rotated his team in the match against Falkirk, despite securing the win. With the Dortmund game looming, it will be interesting to see if he opts for a strong lineup or makes adjustments, keeping players fresh for the Champions League.
4. **Recruitment Revamp**:
As the January window approaches, Rodgers is expected to provide updates on the ongoing review of Celtic’s recruitment strategy. After a challenging start to the summer transfer period, Rodgers acknowledged room for improvement and may offer insights into how the club is planning for future signings, both in January and the next summer window.
The St Johnstone match is a critical opportunity for Celtic to maintain momentum domestically, with the added complexity of managing player fitness ahead of a high-stakes Champions League campaign.
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