Kenny Dalglish reckons Celtic must do what suits them when it comes to players missing for international duty ahead of the clash with Rangers on January 2nd. 

Stars like Tom Rogic, Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate could miss the game due to international qualifiers – a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou’s hopes. 

An SPFL rule is in place to request a postponement when three or more players are away on international duty, however, it’s clear such a move would not be welcomed by the league body given the problems with fixture congestion it may cause. 

But Hoops legend Dalglish is adamant that Celtic should only think of themselves when it comes to the crucial derby match at Parkhead. 

Writing in his Sunday Post column he said: “There is a lot of chat and speculation right now about what might, or might not, happen with regards to the Old Firm game scheduled for Wednesday, February 2. 

“It’s been suggested Ange Postecoglou may ask for a postponement if three or more of his players are called up to play in World Cup qualifiers around the same time. 

“Tom Rogic will be with Australia, and it remains to seen if Kyogo Furuhashi and any of Celtic’s three new Japanese signings are involved. 

“If Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi or Reo Hatate are call up, then SPFL rules state that would allow the Hoops to ask for the game to be called off. 

“It is an option open to all clubs. If a request is made and the criteria is met, then the governing body’s chief executive, Neil Doncaster, will just have to abide by it. 

“With the match having already been postponed due to Covid forcing an early winter break, another cancellation could well cause some serious fixture congestion further down the line. 

“But that won’t have entered Celtic thinking. Their view will be it’s all about the here and now and they have a duty to to their football club, and its supporters, to do what is required to give themselves the best chance of winning a game of football. 

“At the end of the day, this season’s Premiership title has a Champions League pot of gold, worth £35 million riding on it, and all clubs must do what they feel is best suited to them. 

“So why should Celtic not ask for a postponement if there is an option available for them to do so? 

“Sure, I get Rangers might not like it, and would prefer the game to be played. I absolutely get that standpoint. 

“Sky Sports might also not be overly happy at having to rescheduled the match once again. That is also understandable. But Ange needs to do what is right for the team and himself.”