Jozo Simunovic, Kolo Toure and Leigh Griffiths are OUT of the Celtic side to face Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow night.
Chris Davies revealed the surprise news at Glasgow Airport today as Celtic prepared to fly out to Germany.
The loss of Simunovic is a big blow with the Croat starting to form a useful defensive partnership with Erik Sviatchenko.
Simunovic’s absence means that Mikael Lustig is likely to partner Erik Sviatchenko in the centre of defence with Kolo Toure also missing.
CD: ‘Jozo Simunovic is building up his progression after being out for a long time so he won’t travel.’ #UCL #BMGCEL (MH)
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) October 31, 2016
CD: ‘@Leighgriff09 is not very well and wasn’t at training and won’t be travelling out.’ #BMGCEL #UCL (MH)
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) October 31, 2016
CD: ‘Kolo Toure still has a slight issue so he is building up his rehab & @kierantierney1 has his issue as well & won’t be travelling.’ (MH)
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) October 31, 2016
The loss of Griffiths isn’t quite as drastic but puts extra pressure on Moussa Dembele as the chief goal threat.
Dembele has started all three Champions League matches to date and came under the spotlight after scoring twice against Manchester City.
Celtic need to take something from tomorrow’s match to keep alive their hopes of playing European football after Christmas, for Gladbach the incentive is more attractive with a win taking them right back into contention to qualify with Manchester City the visitors to Borussia Park on matchday five.