When Neil Lennon gets round to naming his side to face Hearts tomorrow it’s bound to have an unfamiliar look about it- no Efe Ambrose or Kelvin Wilson.
The never ending search to find a secure central defensive partnership appears closer than ever to being resolved with the Ambrose and Wilson pairing showing signs of promise in front of Fraser Forster.
International commitments and the excitement of an ESPN commentary team will see Celtic without both players tomorrow with Charlie Mulgrew likely to step in to fill one of the places.
At the start of the season Neil Lennon described Mulgrew as his best central defender- but last years multiple Player of the Year award winner
 has barely had a run out in that position.
In recent weeks Lennon has tried playing three at the back but the hoops boss was quick to admit to the error of his ways in the 1-0 defeat away to Hibs.
Thomas Rogne or Rami Gershon are likely to be played alongside Mulgrew with both players having plenty to prove.
Three years after joining Celtic Rogne still has much to prove with the early promise being replaced by question marks about his fitness and ability to withstand the rough and tumble of Scottish football. Only a consistent run of games would dispel the doubts over Rogne but with his contract running down and half a dozen others competing for a place it’s touch and go whether he’ll have a future at the club.
Victor Wanyama and Mikel Lustig are other options to come into central defence against a Hearts side that will be without the physical presence of the suspended Ryan Stevenson.
Wilson will also miss the midweek clash with Dundee United but will be back for the League Cuo semi-final with St Mirren. With Juventus a matter of weeks away finding the right partnership in the centre of defensive is more important than ever with a place in the last eight of the Champions League possibly only 180 minutes away.