Celtic squad revealed as 2 big returns give Brendan Rodgers ammo to keep stuttering title defence on track

It's back to league duties for Celtic as Brendan Rodgers looks for a second home win in four days against Hearts.

And it's some welcome news for the boss on the injury front for a change as he welcomes Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda back into the picture. Celtic welcome the Jambos to Glasgow reeling from that defeat to Kilmarnock last time out that blew the title race wide open and know they can't afford any more slip-ups, or risk giving Rangers some real purchase to crowbar them from top spot. But there will be a hint of a swagger after a first home Champions League win in a decade and that's something Rodgers will be hoping to channel.

Carter-Vickers and Maeda WILL be in the squad and both come as major boosts, with the American defender having missed their last two games while Maeda hasn't played since early November.

Assistant John Kennedy said ahead of the game: "They will both come into the squad, they are good. (Liel) Abada is still working through rehab, he is probably a couple of weeks away, and Reo (Hatate) is slightly behind him. Other than that we are pretty good."

It's not an easy job predicting the Hoops XI these days given the sheer size of the squad available. Kennedy hinted at January sales, particularly in the centre-back department, to combat the bloated nature of the group and reports on Saturday morning hinted Gustaf Lagerbielke, the hero of that Champions League win over Feyenoord, could be one man moved on. Could he get his reward in the form of a rare league start for the time being? He may have to wait for now especially with Carter-Vickers back....

There's been some continuity in midfield for the Hoops lately with Tomoki Iwata joining Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley in the engine