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Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as transfer linked star remains and Reo Hatate rocks Sunday league staple

It's a massive week for Celtic and Ange Postecoglou as they could potentially take a huge step towards the Scottish title.

But it could just so easily come crashing down as the build-up to derby day continues.

First off though there is a home clash against Dundee United to negotiate and the Terrors shouldn't be underestimated.

They hauled themselves back into the top six hunt and arrested a run of seven league games without a win when Nicky Clark pounced to down Ross County in added time.

Despite international absences and injuries aplenty however the Celtic squad has the feel good factor. It's little wonder given the amount they've endured in the past six months - only to have the chance to narrow the game between themselves and Rangers to just a single point next week.

Here's what we noticed from an upbeat session at Lennoxtown.

Gia grinning

Giorgos Giakoumakis (SNS Group)

And quite right. Giorgos Giakoumakis has two goals in a week and he's hitting a spot of form at just the right time for Celtic.

He's shown flashes since the start but against Hearts the stocky Greek was a constant nuisance and roughed up a back three that is rarely rumbled by even the league's best forwards.

Now the No.7 can continue his journey on the goal trail against Dundee United before he'll be trusted in one of the biggest derbies this city has seen for quite some time.

Adam's still about

Adam Montgomery during a Celtic training session (SNS Group)

Earlier this week brought the news that Adam Montgomery was close to being loaned out but he was still in Celtic first-team training as of Friday afternoon.

Derek McInnes' Kilmarnock are the side after him and you feel that would be a good move, especially if he gets plenty of game time.

The experience of battling for a title in the SPFL's tightest division would serve Montgomery well.

But it remains to be seen if he, or perhaps young Owen Moffat next to him in this snap, heads out before the January 31 deadline.

JJ's trademark

(SNS Group)


Every dressing room needs a joker and rarely does a Lennoxtown session go by without cheeky Josip Juranovic flashing the camera a big grin.

Whether he's calling Tom Rogic 'Messi' or letting Joe Hart in on his dastardly plan to Panenka the other keeper, the right-back is a great character.

The trademark floppy hat was out again on Friday but next week is no laughing matter.

Drafted in on time for the first derby of this season, Juranovic will not want to taste defeat again and this time he'll be on his favoured right side - battling with Ibrox winger Ryan Kent.

The wait continues

Christopher Jullien is yet to mark his return with an appearance (SNS Group)

But for how much longer as Christopher Jullien is all set to make his grand return.

Could it be fate or tempting fate that it might come in the same fixture this weekend that started 13 months of injury hell?

Giving a rest to one of Carl Starfelt or Cameron Carter-Vickers may appeal with such a crucial game to come in midweek but it's hard to ease your centre-backs back in after such a long time out.

Strictly Mizness

Reo Hatate (SNS Group)

Celtic Park has a new favourite and who knows what else the feet inside those sparkling Mizuno boots are capable of.

They might have a bit of a Sunday league reputation over here but the Japanese brand was more Champions League when Reo Hatate whacked his 30-yarder at Tynecastle.

The midfielder oozed quality in both of his games against Edinburgh opposition after an all-action showing against Hibs when the Premiership returned.

Hatate might notice he's already a popular figure but he'd go into a new stratosphere if he were to bag a similar strike on Wednesday night.

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