Brendan Rodgers has revealed he will consider Kris Commons’ future at the end of his emergency loan to Hibernian. The 33-year-old midfielder has almost certainly made his last appearance for Celtic, not having played a single game for Rodgers before he was allowed to join Hibs on a short-term deal until January 15, but the manager stressed there had never been a problem between them and he praised Commons’ professionalism.
Commons made his debut in Saturday evening’s 1-1 draw at Morton and he could play four more times for the Championship leaders before the loan ends. He is out of contract at the end of the season and it seems likely that Rodgers would be open to letting him join Hibs permanently if that suits all parties.
“It was just a case of him going out to get some games,” said Rodgers. “Kris will be in good condition. He’s worked very, very hard in training. He’s understood the position here between myself and him from the first week but he’s never been a minute’s problem. He’s showed a great attitude. It’s difficult for him to play when I have Scott Sinclair and Patrick Roberts and James Forrest: these guys have been outstanding. Kris is a player towards the latter part of his career and the important thing now is playing, so when Neil [Lennon, the Hibs manager] gave him a chance I was all for it — ‘go out and get some games’ — and let’s review it at the end.”
Meanwhile, the Dundee striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui has admitted he must work to improve his finishing having found the step from League One — he scored 30 in 41 outings
for Dunfermline last season — to the Premiership a huge one. The 24-year-old Moroccan has scored only once in 14 games this term and missed a terrific late chance to equalise as Dundee lost at Celtic Park.
He came off the bench with only three minutes left and blasted a shot over when he was played through on goalkeeper Craig Gordon. “I really should have scored that chance.
I need to work on my finishing. One minute I was on the bench and then the manager put me on. We had been pushing Celtic and then the chance came. I won’t miss it next time.
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“The manager and the boys were good with me in the dressing room afterwards. It is a big difference from League One, but I need to keep learning and keep improving. It is much tougher [in the Premiership] but I’m sure the goals will come.”