Celtic may hand surprise full debut to teen vs Kilmarnock amid injury blow

da bet nacional： Celtic take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this weekend and could now be set to hand an unexpected debut to a youngster amid a new injury concern for Brendan Rodgers.

Brendan Rodgers reflects on Celtic's summer window

da betobet： Undoubtedly, dissatisfaction surrounding Celtic’s lack of efficiency in the summer transfer window has been widespread among supporters, who were left furious at the hierarchy’s inability to equip the Bhoys properly for their Champions League playoff against Kairat Almaty.

With Kelechi Iheanacho and Sebastian Tounekti arriving late on, Rodgers has been left with some solace. Still, many feel that he has been dealt a tough hand with the tools he has available relative to the rude financial health the Scottish Premiership champions possess.

Reflecting honestly on a disappointing summer, the Irishman has admitted his side weren’t ready for their vital European qualification matches, but he retains hope that his ambition can be matched by the board in windows to come.

He stated in his pre-match press conference: “I think the business model of the club is highly successful. What we have to marry that in with is the football. Not just investment, timing of investment.

“It was clear what we needed, and we needed it early. We had these qualification games. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us to get players in to be ready for these games, and we weren’t ready. That made me leave last time. This time I won’t do that, one hundred per cent.”

Coming as a surprise, Celtic are at the front of the queue to sign Yelimay Semey winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek, who is available on a free transfer come the January window.

Either way, Rodgers has to play with the cards at his disposal for the foreseeable future, and he may now be forced into offering a shock full debut to a largely untested teen.

Colby Donovan could be set for full Celtic debut vs Kilmarnock

Continuing his lengthy conversation with the media, Rodgers went on to confirm that Anthony Ralston is currently sporting a moon boot and will spend a period of time on the sidelines.

He stated: “Tony, he’s obviously unavailable and will be in a boot for a little bit longer. So, yeah, hopefully he’ll be back in a little while.”

Given that Alistair Johnston is also out of action for Celtic due to a hamstring problem, Colby Donovan could now be set for his full debut, as he is the only other option Rodgers has that is naturally a right-back by trade.

Praised for his “aggressive” qualities by the former Liverpool manager, the Scotland Under-21 defender has featured twice off the bench this term against Livingston and Kairat Almaty, though the Lennoxtown product has never started for his boyhood club.

Marcelo Saracchi may be called into an unfamiliar right-back berth. However, it seems unlikely Rodgers would utilise the loanee on his wrong side, and Donovan is now in line to start until one of Ralston or Johnston returns.