Neil Lennon
Paddy McCourt, James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre will miss Celtic’s next two matches against Hibs and Hamilton.
On the plus side Scott Brown is fit to return after injuring his ankle at Kilmarnock although Neil Lennon admitted that being captain doesn’t guarantee a starting place.
McCourt and Forrest could be out of contention for few more weeks due to shoulder and ankle injuries respectively while further examination of Izaguirre has revealed a small tear in his thigh.
Lennon confirmed: “Emilio may struggle for next week as well, after that we have the international break and he should be fit after that.
“We had him scanned and there’s a small tear in his thigh- it shouldn’t keep him out for too long. Paddy will be out for a while yet and so will James Forrest.”
Lennon’s biggest decisions tomorrow will be over who to play in midfield.
Efrain Juarez and Ki Sung Yeung both put in impressive performances against Inverness Caley Thistle in midweek while Brown and Biram Kayal looked on from the stand.
Joe Ledley seems the only certain starter in midfield with Lennon revealing that even as captain Brown isn’t certain to start against his former club.
“There are no automatic picks at all,” Lennon responded when asked if Brown would automatically return to the team.
“Maybe our fans expected him to produce the performances that he did at Hibs but his game has developed differently.
“We don’t play in a 4-3-3 which he was used to at Hibs, we play differently. Scott brings a lot to our game in the defensive side which he probably didn’t have to do at Hibs.
“There’s also a big price tag, which isn’t his fault, but I’ve been very happy with his form certainly since I’ve taken over.
“I’ve no qualms about putting him in if I have to, he has been a big player for us and is one of our more senior players.”
Despite the apparent constant stream of players to Hibs from Celtic there will be more former Celtic players in the Hibs side than vice versa.
Former Celt John Hughes is likely to call upon Mark Brown, Liam Miller, Derek Riordan and new captain Kevin McBride as he attempts to win for just the second time in nine games this season.
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
DEADLY RETURNS: Deadly the gnome is back in iconic film Aliens
I would like to see Ledley, Ki & Juarez get the nod before Brown tomorrow.
LEDLEY KI JUARAZ STOKES HOOPER MURPHY,,,,DEFENCE SAME….HAS TO STAY LOYAL TO MURPH.. OR JUARAZ LEFT BACK WITH KAYAL IN MIDDLE. ONLY POSSIBLE IS MALONEY FOR HOOPER
I understand that Hoiveld is out as well ??
No one’s mentioned ..Sammi…..hat trick last game …then dropped?? don’t think so…..
agree that Brown should NOT walk back into team..
we should play with flair at CP…..Brown don’t do this….
keep him for suitable away games….
Yes, Jos Hooiveld picked up an injury in training but I doubt if he’d even be in contention for a place on the bench if he was fit, Thomas Rogne has been a sub in the last two matches and ticks the u-21 box.
I think that Samaras will play out wide with Maloney on the other side supporting Murphy and Stokes.
Midfield decisions will be more interesting although if Ledley is switched to left back that would make the decision for the two midfield places easier.
Samaras might feel he deserves a place……… in 1983 Brian McClair was dropped after scoring 4 goals at Dundee for Jim Melrose when Celtic went to Aarhus! It took Davie Hay half a season before seeing sense on that one!