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Mark Pirie

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as Ange Postecoglou goes ninja style in Scottish winter and key man steps up return

It's a trip to an unhappy hunting ground for Ange Postecoglou on Wednesday.

Celtic have struggled to take anything from Easter Road in recent seasons as they prepare for a clash with out of form Hibs.

It's been seven years since the Hoops left Leith with all three points on league business and the Australian will be desperate to buck that trend.

It will be no easy task, with Jack Ross' side proving to be unpredictable so far this season, but the manager could have some of his crocked stars back for the away day.

Postecoglou put his players through a final session on Tuesday ahead of their trip along the M8.

Here are five things we spotted from the session.

Weathering the storm

Things are up and running for the Ange Postecoglou era after a tough start to life in Glasgow's east end.

After three clean sheets in a row, and four consecutive wins, it looks like the Australian is getting it right at Celtic Park.

While he may be settling into the hot seat nicely, it's the Scottish winter that was getting to Postecoglou.

The manager and his players were battered by rain in frosty conditions as they warm up for a trip to Easter Road, with the Parkhead gaffer going full Jedi or ninja as he batled the elements.

Osaze set for a chance?

(SNS Group)

He's been the odd man out since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday, but Osaze Urhoghide was attempting to catch the eye of Postecoglou at Lennoxtown.

A July signing from Sheffield Wednesday, the defender was officially the first capture of the club's new era on a four-year-deal.

Since being unveiled, the centre-back has been limited to sporadic appearances for the Colts while youngsters like Stephen Welsh, Dane Murray and Adam Montgomery have been handed a run in the first-team.

John Kennedy was putting the 21-year-old through his paces at Lennoxtown, but could he be the next youngster to get a shot in the starting XI?

Giving youth a chance

(SNS Group)

Speaking of the Celtic Park youngsters, they were all smiles at Lennoxtown ahead of the trek to Easter Road.

Adam Montgomery, Stephen Welsh and Ewan Henderson have all been around the first-team squad this season, with Montgomery having the chance to make the left-back slot his own.

While the manager has altered between the 19-year-old, Boli Bolingoli and Josip Juranovic he will hope to have made a strong enough case at Lennoxtown to get another Premiership run out.

McCarthy stepping up his return

(SNS Group)

James McCarthy hasn't featured in close to a month after a knock, but could be in the running to face Hibs.

He was front and centre among the first-team stars being put through their paces by Postecoglou, having not made an appearance for Celtic since the Europa League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

With injury concerns being the main sticking point for supporters following his summer arrival from Crystal Palace, he will be desperate to be back playing to prove any doubters wrong.

However, he may have got too used to those London winters, as he was spotted well wrapped up at a rain-soaked Lennoxtown.

Forrest raring to go

(SNS Group)

Another positive sign on the injury front for Celtic is James Forrest.

The winger has been a big-miss since his start to the season was curtailed by injury.

Having had a pre-season hampered by injuring and his Euro 2020 call-up, the 30-year-old looked desperate to get back to top fitness ahead of a top team return.

While Postecoglou has said he will be a couple of weeks away, it's a welcome sight for the Parkhead faithful to see him executing his trademark bursting runs.

Even if it's just at Lennoxtown, for now.

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