Every Celtic injury fear addressed as Rodgers lifts lid on Carter-Vickers and Tilio amid Johnston double blow

Brendan Rodgers will want the full firepower of his Celtic squad raring to go when he begins his second stint in Glasgow.

The Irishman has new and familiar faces to engage with after sealing the sensational return to the Parkhead hot-seat. Australian winger Marco Tilio and promising Norwegian playmaker Odin Thiago Holm have joined the Treble-winning side that have lost top star Jota in a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia, but crucially Rodgers has tied down key stars long-term who had been gaining transfer interest. Hitman Kyogo, skipper Callum McGregor and winger Daizen Maeda have all committed their futures to Parkhead.

But on the injury front, recent concerns have proved a conundrum for the new Hoops boss with new winger Tilio not set to recover from his knock in time for the start of the Premiership season. The niggle came before the former Melbourne City man checked in to Lennoxtown so Hoops fanatics will be made to wait to see the Aussie in action. Canadian Alistair Johnston also has a problem, while his namesake Mikey has been dealt a huge blow on his return.

On defender Johnston, he said: “Alistair had an issue when he came back from international duty, a problem with his ankle. In the operation, he had a couple of bits removed, which was successful. He’s out here with us. It’s probably a six to eight-week injury, but hopefully he’ll be fit sooner than that.

“He’ll progress really well and better to have it done at this stage than some time during the season.”

Meanwhile winger Johnston, who rejoins the club from a loan spell at Vitoria in Portugal has been dealt a huge blow with the extent of a back injury revealed. Rodgers commented: "His job is to convince myself and the coaches that he is ready for a place.