Ange Postecoglou says the Celtic medical team's contribution to their season so far has been a key factor.
The Australian boss rotates on a frequent basis and only Callum McGregor has picked up a longer-term injury this season, while Carl Starfelt carried one into it. Most of his big hitters have managed to maintain fitness outside the odd niggle and ahead of Wednesday night's league trip to Hibs, Postecoglou was in the mood for praise.
He says it's important that rotation continues - like in Saturday's 4-1 over St Johnstone - so that everyone can have the maximum impact when it is needed. The 57-year-old explained: "Everybody wants to play every game but it's impossible if we want to maintain the levels we need, with the schedules we have. We need players out there all the time with energy. Our medical and sports science team have done an outstanding job this year in terms of keeping our best players on the park all the time.
"I think it's helped that I have been able to rotate. Liel Abada deserved a start (on Saturday) but with such a short turnaround, I know what James Forrest can do and it made sense to make that change. Same with Jota and Daizen on the other side."
One player who did miss Saturday's match was right-back Anthony Ralston as midfielder Reo Hatate filled in. Josip Juranovic likely won't be used ahead of Rangers on January 2nd whereas the Scotland international is a day-by-day case.
Postecoglou added: "We'll see with Anthony. There was improvement and we have an extra day's break for this game so we will assess it as we go along."
