However, Ibrox boss Philippe Clement has revealed they could be without Sima. They’re not quite sure about how long he will be out for but believe he has some part to play in May, he just doesn’t know when. Last week the Belgian said it would be at least a couple of weeks for recovery.

Before Celtic get to the Glasgow Derby they have Hearts at home, a club that has beaten them twice already this season. If they want to be in a good position themselves going into that game, nothing else but a win will help their cause.

The bhoys in green are hopeful they will have Daizen Maeda back for the run-in and the Japanese star is expected back in training this week. Whether he gets a start against Hearts remains to be seen.

The last Glasgow Derby ended 3-3. Gers fans went into that game very confident and by the end of the tie they were delighted they had managed to steal a draw.

The game at Celtic Park will be highly contested, and if the bhoys are to lift the league, they need to go and win the next two games!

Football is a broad church and brings out all sorts of different faiths, beliefs and superstitions. After the Celtic support were put through the mill on Saturday afternoon and penalties commenced, even atheists in the crowd might have looked to the heavens for a helping hand!

The clip zoomed in shows the supporter blessing himself and obviously negotiating with the big man upstairs before the ball left the penalty spot.

Joe managed to save it and, in doing so, won the game for Celtic. The fan in question might have just thought his prayer had been answered!

Fucking buckled at the fan in background blessing himself before Joe Hart saves the penalty 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Uyt6x8sFt2

— amc (@AMC__88) April 22, 2024

Celtic fell behind against Aberdeen early on but managed to pull themselves 2-1 in front and looked to be heading for the final. Aberdeen had different plans and scored a late goal to take the game into extra time. Again Celtic took the lead, but with very little time remaining on the clock, the Dons hit back once again, refusing to leave the Hampden stage without a fight.

Penalties it was, and when Celtic took the initiative, Joe Hart shocked everyone in attendance by taking the 5th penalty for the Hoops. The Englishman missed his chance to be the hero from the spot, but he redeemed himself on the goal line. Perhaps with a little help from above!

The SPFL confirmed on Friday that Celtic will be given a 5% allocation for their fans at Ibrox and vice versa for their city rivals at Parkhead from next season onwards.

Such an increase is a step in the right direction and much more worthwhile than having 700, 800, or even no travelling supporters. It makes the fixture a much greater spectacle and arguably adds an extra edge to the games.

Sutton, who only ever played in derbies where the away allocation was as big as can be, is positive surrounding the latest update. He said: [RecordSport] “At last they have seen a bit of sense and around 2500 is certainly better than nothing.

“It’s too late for this season and we’ll have no away supporters for the remaining two encounters.

“The only hope is the clubs see the difference next season and it persuades them to bring back the proper allocation and restore the fixture to former glory.”

Most people within Scottish football are seemingly delighted with the latest update. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admitted it wasn’t before time.

He hopes, similarly to Sutton, that it will eventually get back to what it was in future and that derbies can return to the way they always were.

Indeed, winger Yang, who has just served a two-match suspension, has come back from international duty with South Korea under-23s with a slight, and unexpected, issue.

Speaking to the media this afternoon at Lennoxtown, manager Brendan Rodgers commented on the Hoops’ number 13. He said: [Celtic FC on YouTube] “Yang has come back with a bit of tightness.

“We just need to make sure that’s nothing more serious. He obviously played 2 60 minutes and a 30 minutes while he was away so he’s come back a little bit tight so we just need to check and make sure he’s okay.”

It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will feature on Sunday due to his issue but if he doesn’t, fans shouldn’t have many worries.

Nicolas Kuhn is beginning to hit form while Daizen Maeda getting a run of games is only beneficial. In addition, James Forrest has thrown his hat into the ring for a starting berth with his recent cameos.

Even with the absences of Yang, Luis Palma, and Callum McGregor, The Bhoys should have enough to get past a Livingston team who all season, have been down in the dumps.

It was announced this morning that travelling supporters of Celtic and Rangers to Ibrox and Parkhead will be given 5% of the seats in the ground in what is a massive win for Scottish football.

The boss thinks the latest developments are hugely positive, and that they can help pave the way to getting things back to what they originally were regarding away fans at derbies. He said: [Celtic FC on YouTube] “It’s absolutely great news, I think for everyone.

“It’s certainly something that this club have championed for a number of years.

“It’s absolutely fantastic news, and not before time as well.

“The aim at Celtic was never to change it. So, if we can get back to what it was before it was changed that would be absolutely great news for everyone.”

Although the recent increases are in no way comparable to how things were before the allocations were cut, they are a step in the right direction.

It is much better and significantly more worthwhile to have around 2,500 Celtic fans at Ibrox rather than 800, or even zero.

Little or no away supporters at derbies make the spectacle less entertaining for both sets of supporters, and the derby atmosphere within Celtic Park and Ibrox is negatively impacted by having no travelling fans.

From next season, however, things will change and a positive step will finally be taken.

The winger hasn’t played since the Hoops’ 7-1 thumping of Dundee at the end of February, and won’t feature on Sunday at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Speaking to the media at Lennoxtown today, gaffer Rodgers served to give the latest on the status of the Honduran internationalist. “Luis Palma probably will just miss out on this weekend”, he said (Celtic FC on YouTube).

“Hopefully he’ll be available soon.”

In his recent absence, Celtic haven’t particularly missed Palma. Daizen Maeda stepped up with a hat-trick against Livi in the Scottish Cup while Nicolas Kuhn has come into his own over the past few games.

James Forrest has also staked his claim for a berth in the team, scoring one and assisting another in his previous two appearances.

During this period, Yang has been suspended, too, and despite these holes out wide, the team have coped well.

This weekend in West Lothian, they will need to suck it up once more and count on the likes of Kuhn, Maeda, and Forrest to help deliver what would be a key league victory.

Indeed, the boss confirmed that Reo Hatate, who has not played for the Hoops since the 2nd of January, is available for the match.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the boss gave a hugely positive update. He said: [Celtic FC on YouTube] “Reo Hatate is back and available in the squad which is great news.

“He’s worked very hard, he’s played a bounce game in the time off and he’s built up his fitness so it’s great news he’s back.”

Captain Callum McGregor will miss this weekend’s game because the manager doesn’t want to risk him, but it is full steam ahead with his Japanese teammate.

It remains to be seen whether Hatate will play from the start at Livingston, but the fact he is available for the clash in the first place is crucial.

When fully fit and firing, the 26-year-old is one of the most gifted players in Scottish football. In the final destination of the title and during the run-in over the next few weeks, his talents could be decisive.

The skipper has not been seen since he was subbed off at half-time in a 7-1 demolition of Dundee at the end of February. Although he has been on the pitch since then, manager Brendan Rodgers is not risking him on Livingston’s plastic surface.

Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s crucial clash in West Lothian, the boss provided the latest on his captain. “Callum has been out on the field, but we are not risking him in this game”, he said [PLZ Soccer].

“He should hopefully rejoin training next week.”

Rodgers was then asked if the 30-year-old has a chance of playing in the Glasgow Derby. He said: “Yes, a very good chance.”

This Sunday at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Celtic should have enough in the tank to cope without McGregor.

It is a colossal boost that he will likely be available for next weekend because arguably, it is the biggest game of the Hoops’ season.

At the heart of the midfield, particularly in the big games, McGregor is a driving force and catalyst from which all good things come. The significance of his availability for the derby should not be understated.

Previously, Kennedy took interim charge of the Hoops in 2021 and this weekend will be a similar scenario.

Throughout his coaching career, Kennedy has gained vast praise from several players. Kris Ajer had a close relationship with him, and Joe Hart recently talked up his abilities.

Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s trip to Livingston, the ‘keeper, who is set to retire at the season’s end, was rather complimentary of the 40-year-old. He said: [Celtic FC on YouTube] “John will step in. Personally, my whole journey has been with him and he’s an exceptional coach.

“He’s definitely got managerial skills from learning from great managers such as Brendan in the past, working with Ange, we look forward to seeing what he’s got.”

Still a relatively young age, Kennedy has had opportunities to leave Celtic in the past but he has remained faithful regardless of the manager.

He has been with the club whether it is Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou, or Brendan Rodgers at the helm. Such loyalty in football is hard to come by and this weekend, Kennedy will be rewarded as he steps up to take charge from the technical area.