Rogne and Loovens return today

Thomas Rogne and Glenn Loovens will make their comebacks today in a specially arranged closed doors match.

Neither defender has played in the last six weeks due to injury and will give Neil Lennon some options at the back if they come through today's game unscathed although it's unlikely that they will be contenders for a starting place against Dundee United on Sunday.

The injury that Darren O'Dea picked up against Hibs however could change that with a win at Tannadice guarenteeing second spot and keeping Rangers celebrations on hold for at least two hours.

Loovens last played against Hearts on February 10 while Rogne limped out of the defeat from Rangers on February 28.

I'll have details and reaction from today's match later this afternoon.

Rogne set for Celtic debut

Thomas Rogne will make his first public appearance as a Celtic player against Drogheda United tonight.

The 19-year-old defender played alongside Jos Hooiveld in a closed doors match at Blackburn a fortnight ago and will play tonight in a Celtic XI managed by Neil Lennon.

Injuries last night to Hooiveld and Andreas Hinkel against Kilmarnock could push Rogne into contention for a place in the team to face Dunfermline on Sunday in the Scottish Cup.

After signing the defender Tony Mowbray said: "He's only 19 but has had good experience in the Norwegian league.

"Thomas has a bright future and will be training with the first-team squad and competing for a place in the side."

Scott Brown will also be in the squad tonight for Celtic's third visit of the season to Ireland having previously won away to Cork City and lost at Cliftonville.

Drogheda United website

Hooiveld captaincy hint

Tony Mowbray has dropped a strong hint that Jos Hooiveld could be his captain.

The Dutch defender is expected to make his debut on Wednesday against Hibs but has already made a big impact off the park.

Since arriving at Celtic last summer Mowbray has shared the captaincy between Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus with Darren O'Dea leading Celtic in the Scottish Cup win against Morton.

Mowbray is from the old school that sees the captain's job as more than just wearing an armband and leading the team out and clearly looks to the centre of defence for leaders.

The Celtic boss admitted: "We're looking for strong characters and for a new leader to come out of the dressing room.

"You listen to Jos Hooiveld, who's not a shy boy and who's already vocal both on the training ground and also in the dressing room.

"It would be unfair to say who I think can step up for us but I am pretty sure that some personalites will grow out of it.

"A captain will evolve, I think. That's how personalities come out of the dressing room. Darren O'Dea was our captain on Tuesday - he had a tough time at the end at Reading but his personality and character are very strong.

"Whether he's in the team or not, he's got raw attributes and his personality comes out."

Mowbray has spent the January transfer window overhauling his squad and is looking for fresh characters to emerge.

He added: "I see enough quality in the squad at the moment but we have lost Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson who were both big characters in the dressing room.

"When you lose big characters out of a dressing room other players can find that quality within themselves. When I arrived at West Brom I had a very experienced side which Bryan Robson had put together but that team basically disappeared and by the time I left there were only about two players left.

"Jonathan Greening, for instance, was a quiet little talented footballer among a lot of big personalities and he grew into a leader on the pitch and off it.

"He was our captain, basically because of his talent to start with - but then he found his voice and knew the responsibilities he had. He became a natural leader."

Hooived played for Celtic's development side in the 2-1 win in midweek at Blackburn where he formed a new look defensive partnership with Thomas Rogne.

The Norwegian defender isn't expected to become a first team player this season but has already made a favourable impression on his new manager.

Mowbray said: "I've been very impressed with what I've seen in training. He played alongside Jos Hooiveld in a bounce game against a very strong Blackburn Rovers side this week - the strikers were Jason Roberts and El-Hadji Diouf so it was a good test for the centre-halves.

"They had a lot of international first-team players involved but our young side won the game, which was at their training ground, 2-1 and both centre-halves did really well.

"Thomas is only 19 years old but when I look at the physicality of him compared to some of the boys we have at our training ground, he's a man already.

"He isn't particularly for this weekend, next weekend or the weekend after. I think you buy Thomas Rogne and hopefully save yourself £5m two years down the line when the club needs a centre-half and you've already got him."

Mowbray confirms signing............ tomorrow morning

Tony Mowbray has revealed that a new signing will be revealed tomorrow morning on the club's website.

Speaking to Radio Scotland before and after tonight's 1-0 win at Morton the Celtic manager confirmed that a signing announcement will be made.

Norwegian defender Thomas Rogne has been on an extended visit to Lennoxtown and is believed to be the most likely signing.

The 19-year-old is out of contract with Stabaek but the Norwegian club would be entitled to a fee of around £200,000 having developed the player through their youth academy.

At 6 foot 2 Rogne would add a physical edge to the Celtic defence although Jos Hooived has already been signed with the club also negotiating with Arsenal to take Phillippe Senderos on loan for the remainder of the season.

Aftermatch radio interview