CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side for stretching their advantage at the summit of the Ladbrokes Premiership to three points – then admitted Kieran Tierney is a major doubt for Saturday’s Old Firm match at Ibrox. After missing yesterday’s 4-3 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, Tierney has now missed the club’s last four matches with an ongoing hip complaint, and the Parkhead side may be wary of potentially aggravating it at Ibrox with the winter break just around the corner, with Jonny Hayes emerging yesterday as a potential shock replacement.

The development came as details emerged of two of the club’s potential January signing targets. The club are hopeful of doing a loan deal with Paris St Germain for the services of Timothy Weah, the 18-year-old son of Liberian strike legend George, and have also made an inquiry about the availability of Belgian international full back Timothy Castagne, although Serie A side Atalanta are reluctant to sell the 23-year-old who made his full international debut against Scotland. “He [Tierney] is clearly a question mark, in the next 48 hours we will see,” said Rodgers. “If not it’s unfortunate, but we have other guys to come into the squad and that’s always an opportunity.”

With Emilio Izaguirre conceding a penalty against Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday and being replaced by Hayes at half time, the Irishman could be the man to provide Tierney’s trademark energy down the left. “I’ve known Jonny since he was 15, he has played a number of positions and can play wing-back or left-back,” said Rodgers. “So he is pretty comfortable and has that speed and power to get forward. But as you see with his recovery when he got back he has the work ethic as well. If he has to play there, or Emilio, then there is no problem.”

Rodgers was coy on the subject of what he could say about Weah. “I can’t tell you anything more, other than the fact he is the son of George, who was a very good player. There is nothing to add. Of course we want to bring in some players in January and he is a very talented kid., but there is nothing else.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, meanwhile, hit back at his Hearts counterpart Craig Levein, who took umbrage at the suggestion he was always complaining about decisions going against his team by saying he was “fed up with Del being a d***”.

“I find it irrational and childish,” said McInnes. “Is the language strange? I think people can make their own opinions on that. I find it really disappointing from someone who has done so much in the game and who I have the highest of regard for.

“Craig has intimated that I phoned him and is trying to cast aspersions. Let’s be clear about this - he phoned me. He said I was crying my eyes out but who made the call? He was the one complaining and he hasn’t stopped moaning since.”