Neil Lennon will be without Georgios Samaras for tomorrow’s visit to Kilmarnock but will welcome back Biram Kayal, Joe Ledley and Cha Du-Ri from injury.
Samaras scored for Greece against Croatia but missed the win over Georgia on Tuesday through injury and is almost certain to miss out again tomorrow.
Ledley and Kayal both missed Celtic’s last match against Hearts through injury while Cha has been missing for six weeks.
“Samaras has picked up an injury, there’s some bone bruising on his ankle,” Lennon told celtic tv. “He’s doubtful but I think that the others that were away on international duty have returned with a clean bill of health.
“Joe Ledley should be fit, Cha has been out for a while and we’re hoping that he’s going to be in contention for the side. Biram missed the Israel game but is back, fit and training.
“We’re getting a couple of our more important players back and that will add a bit of steal to the team again.”
After losing 2-0 to Hearts at Tynecastle Celtic have no margin for error with the players and management having serious questions asked about their capabilities.
Lennon has had a fortnight to ponder the defeat to Hearts and won’t entertain any doubts about the capability of his players.
“I don’t think that they are mentally soft,” the Celtic boss added. “They proved that over the course of last season. They are strong mentally and just need a couple of players to show the form that we know they are capable of.
“I want the players to walk out on to the pitch expecting to win- doing the groundwork to win games. There is no complacency here, the players are well aware of the current situation but that can change very quickly.
“We need to change that very quickly and hope that other teams falter along the way.”
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Joe Ledley is a key player for us, just like Lenny was you don’t miss till he,s not there. Kayal needs to get the finger out, best of luck to big Sammi, would love for him to prove the doubters wrong.
Hail Hail
I think Samaras will struggle to over come the doubters in the stands and his form will get no better.
Neil’s persistence with the big man could ultimately be his undoing.
I’m 100% behind our manager and trust his judgemnt….James McFadden may well be the spark we need to push on. I see a place for him in the Celtic team but that’s based on his form from years ago….who knows where he’s at now.
Hail Hail
K.G
Celtic_Mav Says:
With some backing from the Celtic support big Sammi might just be the answer. Must be a nightmare playing in front off a support that ain’t on your side.
In Lennon I trust.