Celtic could be facing a different situation in goals this weekend after St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George picked up an injury in training. It comes just days after he was taken off at Celtic Park with a suspected concussion.
George had only just come through that issue, but an ankle problem has now put his involvement in doubt for the next meeting between the sides. It leaves St Mirren with a late call to make.
The timing could matter. Celtic created chances against St Mirren last weekend but didn’t find it easy to break them down. A change in goal, especially this close to the match, can affect how things play out.
There’s already a recent example. Ryan Mullen came in at Celtic Park and had to deal with the intensity of the game straight away, up against a side that moves the ball quickly in the final third.
St Mirren interim boss Craig McLeish spoke about the situation ahead of the game.
He said: (STV), “We need to assess it. He’s only just went over to his ankle, so we’re hoping that he’s going to be OK.
“We have to take precautions and just take the weight off it straight away.
“Ryan came in at the weekend and did great throughout the game in place of Shamal.
“The physio is with him just now so we’ll see how that goes, but if Ryan steps in then we’re more than comfortable and confident with what Ryan can do as well.
“He had to go on as a substitute goalkeeper, as a back-up goalkeeper.
“To go in the way he did at Celtic Park in front of the fans and the crowd and to look so assured – and we’re obviously playing a little bit differently, where we’re asking more of the goalkeepers with the ball at their feet – he gave us so much of that in the second half as well.
“So, the fact that he’s done it so recently and he may have to do it again – we need to wait on Shamal’s update – then whoever’s in and goals for us, we’re confident with whatever we go with.”
From a Celtic point of view, it gives the Hoops a bit more to work with. George is the the Saints’ first-choice goalkeeper, and any late change there brings a bit of doubt.
It now comes down to how things look over the next few days. If George isn’t fit, Celtic will be facing a keeper who has only just come in.
In a game where chances might be few, that can swing things.
