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Stefan Scepovic starts against Astra

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Europa LeagueStefan Scepovic comes in to replace John Guidetti for Celtic’s Europa League clash with Astra.

The Swede misses out due to  the incompetence of the SFA following his loan transfer from Manchester City with Scepovic coming in as the only change to the side that won 5-0 against Ross County on Saturday.

CELTIC: Gordon; Lustig, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Mulgrew; McGregor, Johansen, Stokes; Scepovic

SUBS: Zaluska, Ambrose, Matthews, Tonev, Griffiths, Kayal, Wakaso

Looking towards tonight’s match midfielder Stefan Johansen said: “We had a good start in the Europa League an a few games without losing but then the Hamilton game happened. We shouldn’t lose that one but we bounced back straight away and we want to keep it that way.

“We have four points in the Europa League and if we win on Thursday it will look good for us to get to the next round.”

Discussing the impact of his former Stromsgodset manager, Ronny Deila, Johansen added: “He has some details in the game he wants, like playing from the back, attacking full-backs and he likes to have possession. There are a few details there that we need to work on as a team.

“He has done it from day one and he is still doing it. I think the team is starting to understand. Of course it takes time – 20 players have to adapt to that but we are starting to see how he wants the team to play.

“He is challenging people and that’s good. He is doing the right thing. It’s the football the fans want to see, attacking football. We just need to work and it’s going to be good in the end.

“You are starting to see the team adapt to it. It’s starting to look good now.”

Celtic continue their quest for consistency when they host FC Astra in the Europa League on Thursday night.

But they are in a good position in that table, having drawn in Salzburg and beaten Dinamo Zagreb at Parkhead ahead of the double header with the Romanians.

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