Brendan Rodgers has delivered an injury update on his squad as they prepare to face Sturm Graz on Thursday.
Matchday three of the Europa League is already upon us, and Celtic are looking for their forst three points in the competition.
So far, they’ve played in a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade before hosting a return for Gustaf Lagerbielke, which saw Celtic lose 2-0.
Now, all attention is on Thursday to attempt to secure that first win.
And Celtic could do that with Alistair Johnston, but they will have to without Daizen Maeda.
The Japanese striker didn’t take part in training after the Dundee match, struggling with a hamstring injury. That will keep him out for this one.
Facing the media, Brendan Rodgers said: [Celtic TV]
“Daizen’s not available, no. Alistair Johnston should be okay, hopefully all being well, so that’s great news for us.”
Now there is a problem upfront, and it all traces back to the shambolic summer recruitment.
Celtic will need to start Yang or Forrest on the right.
It’s clear that Rodgers doesn’t fancy shifting Tounekti over, despite talking about how he can play both wings when he arrived at the club on deadline day, and Balikwisha doesn’t look up to the standard, at least yet.
Maeda didn’t exactly star on the right wing against Motherwell, but he offers something that not many players do.
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2 responses
Has failed to get pass marks in all but one game, and he wasn’t great in that, just passable, so won’t be a great miss. The rest of the squad, well the majority of them, need to start acting like professionals, and soon, otherwise they’ll get their manager the sack. They have been a disgrace to the jersey at times, regardless of the formation or tactics our manager has tried, they’ve produced the same half hearted dross, a shadow of their former selves.
Ballikwisha inside no way id play forest he never passes to the fullback against Dundee he jump 3ft out of a challenge allowing Dundee fullback a clear run with no right fullback he had to put his body on the line it was shocking if he won challenged he had acres of space to move into as the fullback sold himself thats it for me Enoughs enough thats why he will never be a legend in my eyes no heart when your team needs you you dive out of 50 50 im suprised no player got into him lack of courage any body but him