Celtic injuries: Patrick Roberts' and Leigh Griffiths' expected return dates

For all the criticism of Celtic’s performances in recent weeks, and there has been plenty, it’s often forgot just how much injuries have taken their toll on Brendan Rodgers’ squad this season, throughout the team from goalkeeper to striker.

While the club may be out of Europe, domestic fixtures run thick and fast between now and the end of the season and with the Hoops targeting a second treble in successive season they need all their top performers available.

Two attacking talents they’ve missed recently have been Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts, two of the side’s more clinical stars in the final third.

Here’s the lowdown on when fans can expect to see them back in Celtic colours:

Patrick Roberts

When was he injured?: The dynamic winger had to be substituted off during Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park last November with a hamstring injury and has been out ever since.

Potential injury return date: 28/02/2018, as reported by The Evening Times.

Have Celtic missed him?: The return of Patrick Roberts to Celtic was one of the much-hyped deals of last summer’s transfer window but it’s fair to say the move hasn’t panned out how either party would have liked. With just 10 starts to his name this season he initially struggled to win a place in Brendan Rodgers’ first team before his injury. There’s no doubt he’s an excellent creative talent though and will add something different to the Celtic attack when he returns.

What the manager has said: “Patrick will be back available for Dundee. He played in the development game last week and has been training for a few weeks. It’s great to have him back. You see his quality and his creativity, he’s fantastic to have back. We need to be careful and manage him, without holding the player back. He’s worked very hard in the last few weeks.”

Leigh Griffiths

When was he injured?: Leigh Griffiths scored the only goal in Celtic’s 1-0 win over Hibernian in January but later had to be substituted off with a calf injury that has blighted his career at the Hoops over the last 18 months.

Potential injury return date: 01/03/2018, according to Transfermarkt.

How important is his return?: Luckily for Celtic, main striker Moussa Dembele is again hitting top form after dealing with his own injury problems so Leigh Griffiths’ absence hasn’t quite been felt as hard as it might’ve been. With 12 goals this season though he’s certainly contributed to their efforts and can be relied upon to get the job done in the closing stages of the season, if needed.

What the manager has said: “It is unfortunate. He got into a good little rhythm there and then broke down. It was unfortunate bit you seen his frustration the day it happened and there is no-one more frustrated than him.”

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