Three out injured for Hibs clash

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.

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