Neil Lennon is hoping to have a stronger squad available for the Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow.
Last night’s defeat away to Benfica came at a price with Scott Brown likely to be out for a few months, Victor Wanyama suspended for the Spartak match and Charlie Mulgrew withdrawn at half-time feeling ill.
Joe Ledley and Gary Hooper returned from injury for the match with Benfica with James Forrest, Emilio Izaguirre and Thomas Rogne all left behind in Glasgow due to injury.
“I’m hoping to get a few more back in time for Spartak in a couple of weeks,” the Celtic boss said after last night’s disappointment.
“Hopefully James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre will be back, while Gary Hooper will be more up to speed. Miku and Lassad will also be more up to speed and Thomas Rogne should be fit pretty soon. The squad is stretched. We need to nurse a few through.
“Charlie Mulgrew came off at half-time tonight. He had just run his course, he has played 26 games already this season. We are pushing him to the limits at the moment.”
Looking at the situation the club is in going into the final match Lennon added: “I think everyone would have taken that at the start. The players have been superb in this competition.
“They have been exceptional and made real names for themselves. They are still in with a really good chance of qualifying. That was the target when we set out.
“The squad didn’t cost a lot of money to put together and they have grown as the competition has gone on. This was probably our most disappointing performance over the five games in the group so far, but we are at home in the last game which is a big boost for us. Anything can happen.
“The players are disappointed. They were 90 minutes away from qualifying. It’s never easy away from home in Europe – our record isn’t that good – but we have scored in every away game and are making progress.
“It’s great to have European football for the new year, but we want to progress in this competition and will do everything we can to do that.”
CLICK HERE for Lennon explains Scott Brown injury
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Why play half fit players like brown and hooper when the bench was full of fully fit players, surely kayal or commons on from the start would,ve ensured us of the point we needed, hail hail
We can make things easier for ourselves by playing players who are fit, sharp. From the kick-off yesterday we were never at any stage in control of the game. Lessons SHOULD be learned from the many mistakes made.
While it would be great to gain a place in the last 16, I’d think we were the team most other clubs would be happy to meet.
I think we gained greatly from the group games in the Europa League last year and could again learn so much more and hopefully advance further this time around.
Expect Barcelona to play a reserve side and would not be in the least surprised to see Benfica win.
We have come a long way in a short time, but as yesterday only confirmed we still have a long way to go yet. Onwards & upwards though.
I have never subscribed to this tactic of away from homesurrendering two thirds if the park for one hour and a half and expecting to get a result,on the basis that we are away from home nonsense.It doesnt matter if you are at home or not,an offensive plan will get you a result as we have all seen from the past.I totally agree that only fit players should get the jersey and not favourites.A word from the management to some players to keep it zipped and stop making stupid statements to the press would greatly help.Samaras admitting that we were nervous the whole game is just up the russians street,and I dont want bottle merchants wearing a celtic jersey.
Surely the idea of having a squad means that when players are injured or unfit there is another, equally talented or at least competent, player on the bench. I know Lenny and some of the players say about Brown being a motivator but at this level you can’t play half-fit players. Miku, Commons, Kayal are all good enough to start the game, not wait until we are being overrun. Add up all the chances that Barca and Benfica missed and we could be on the end of a real doin’!
While it was dissapointing ,its not the end of our campaign. I have to agree what I saw of the game we did not look awe-inspiring, defending on 18 yard line and inviting Benfica on to us was never a win win situation. i have to say though we never got anything from the ref , any dubious event and Benfica got the foul even when we had genuine fouls against us Benfica got away with them. “Bring on the commies” hail hail
Agree with all the above comments especially the comments about only fit players should be pulling on the jersey.
One thing i would like to add. Am i the only fan just now who is seeing that Ledley is not at the races this season. Not sure why he is getting a game in front of kayal at moment. Ledley a good player but he seems to second to the ball most times and is not doing enough in an offensive way. Too many back or side passes.