With the rescheduled winter break now brought forward, the Bhoys now look to finish 2021 earlier than expected but with a vital three points in the Premiership in today’s Boxing Day clash against St Johnstone.
Celtic defender Carl Starfelt returns to the squad following a one-game ban. Ange Postecoglou will probably be glad of the break more than anyone with mounting injury concerns and a chance to get some new faces through the doors at Paradise.
Kyogo Furuhashi will be managed as he deals with a hamstring problem and David Turnbull, Jota, Albian Ajeti (all hamstring), Giorgos Giakoumakis and James Forrest are still out along with Karamoko Dembele and Christopher Jullien.
Saints have experienced a number of similar problems with Eetu Vertainen, Zander Clark and Shaun Rooney missing in the midweek defeat by Ross County. Cammy MacPherson is sidelined until January, while David Wotherspoon is out for the season.
So here it is, the last Celtic team sheet of 2021:
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Here's the ?????’ starting XI for today's game in Perth ?#STJCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG ? pic.twitter.com/gEgx0X3Top
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 26, 2021
News just hit this morning that a potential COVID outbreak has forced Ange into his reserves once more to put a Celtic team together. Joe Hart and captain Callum McGregor are the most noticeable absentees, more on this when we get it.
The St Mirren match should have been postponed just as the St Mirren manager suggested. This potential COVID situation is the result. Players were put at risk here, as well as fans. The season break should have started on Wednesday last.