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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as Karamoko Dembele tries to catch the eye after 'opportunity' promise

Back to the midweek grind we go as Celtic prepare for another crucial fixture at home to St Mirren.

Ange Postecoglou and Co will know they got away with one after Motherwell spared some serious blushes by inflicting two dropped points on title rivals Rangers hours after Hibs held the Hoops to a 0-0 draw.

The Aussie will have breathed a sigh of relief but he knows it's not often his side will go unpunished like that after a rocky result.

He'll be keen to shake things up and keep his players on their toes against a Saints side hopeful Stephen Robinson can continue the excellent work of Jim Goodwin, now at Aberdeen.

They were put through their paces up at Lennoxtown this morning and here's what we noticed from the session.

Dembele's big shot?

Karamoko Dembele remained in training and is there a slim chance Wednesday night could be the ideal game to give him a shot?

On both wings Celtic's usually electric combination of Jota and Liel Abada hasn't been anywhere near as lethal as in past months.

James Forrest is no more than a squad player at this rate and it seems Daizen Maeda will again be required to lead the line.

Karamoko Dembele during a Celtic training session (SNS Group)

Dembele only turned 19 last week, and while there's been a weight of expectation since going viral some time ago, few teenagers would scoff at the chance of making Celtic's bench.

Postecoglou promised in his press conference that Dembele will get his opportunity soon and he needs one if he's to prove a new contract is worthwhile.

Wednesday night could be as good a chance as any to give him it.

End of the tunnel

Chris Jullien finally ended his injury hell against Raith Rovers a few weeks ago but it's been back to resuming his place on the bench ever since since and there wasn't even a spot for him in the Easter Road dugout on Sunday.

The "end of the tunnel" is how Jullien described stepping out in the Scottish Cup fifth round tie.

Chris Jullien hasn't started since his injury in December 2020 (SNS Group)

And it was a lovely moment to see him receive such a warm ovation from the home fans.

But as he's found, the battle isn't yet over as he now must usurp a settled - if sometimes slipshod - pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt.

Cameron's cheeser

Speaking of Carter-Vickers, it's been a rare occurrence to see him display emotion on or off the park.

But he was spotted eavesdropping on a meeting of the Lennoxtown Goalkeepers Union on Tuesday – and found whatever he heard hilarious.

Vasilis Barkas and Cameron Carter-Vickers share a joke (SNS Group)

Vasilis Barkas, while he's out the first-team picture, has been credited as a good guy in the dressing room and the man who helped sell countryman Giorgos Giakoumakis on a move in recent weeks and he shared a laugh.

Young Tobi Oluwayemi appeared more concerned.

Deep in thought

He likes a moment to himself in training, does Postecoglou, and he had plenty to ponder when this solo snap was taken.

He and his squad stand just 10 Premiership games from unrivalled riches.

Not to mention the glory of pulling off a rebuild billed by fans and pundits alike as the club's 'biggest ever' in less than 12 months flat.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou during a Celtic training session (SNS Group)

The Aussie remains upbeat despite the turgid stuff served up in Leith at the weekend and it's really only that Raith Rovers cup game where we've witnessed him properly lay into a performance.

But he'll surely be expecting better at home to St Mirren on Wednesday night.

Run it back, Reo

It looked like the sky was the limit for Reo Hatate when his rocket punched past Allan McGregor's near post on February 2.

A month later, he hasn't quite built on that outstanding derby performance. But there's still so much the former Kawasaki Frontale man has to give.

He was left out of both starting XIs against Bodo/Glimt.

Reo Hatate (SNS Group)

The first omission appeared to be tactical while the second one suggested he was being rested along with a plethora of other players.

He's a difference maker on his day and the title run in is as good a time as any to make the difference.

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