Rodgers insists Toure will be ready if called upon

Brendan Rodgers has stated that centre-back Kolo Toure will be ready if needed for Celtic’s upcoming Champions League away tie with Borussia Monchengladbach.

The veteran defender had a great the sides last met two weeks ago at Celtic Park up until his two errors which proved costly and resulted in Gladbach sealing the crucial win.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, Rodgers said:

Kolo is a true warrior and you don’t get to achieve what he has in the game at 35 without that strong mentality.

Any game I’ve ever had, especially away from home in tough places, he’s been one of the leading players. So if I need to call upon him he’ll be ready.

He was devastated after the (Borussia) game. He was man enough to stand up and say that. He will always give his best. It depends if he’s going to be fit or not and that’s the only reason there’s been changes in that position.

Despite not featuring for the team since, Toure is back in contention to start ahead of the likes of Jozo Simunovic, who has been a solid figure at the back in recent times.

The Ivorian defender has been partnered by Erik Sviatchenko in most games since the Dane returned from injury at the end of August, and the only time Simunovic and Toure have played together was agaisnt Alloa.

Rodgers’ side face a trip to Germany where they will take on Monchengladbach in the fourth group stage game of this year’s Champions League.

The Scottish Champions then return to league duty and will look to continue their unbeaten run the next weekend when they face Inverness at home.