Jozo Simunovic is in line to make his Champions League debut tonight against Barcelona AND face Aberdeen in the final of the Betfred Cup on Sunday.
The Croatian defender has been used sparingly by Brendan Rodgers as he recovers from the full extent of knee surgery earlier this year and missed out on Friday’s win at Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch as a precaution.
Rodgers brought Mikael Lustig in to partner Erik Sviatchenko away to Borussia Monchengladbach in Celtic’s last Champions League outing but is expected to switch the Swede to right-back and restore Simunovic’s partnership with Sviatchenko.
“I think playing on the Astroturf (of Kilmarnock) was a no go,” the Celtic boss explained. “That was why it was a great result for us, not only did we win the game and keep a clean sheet but we had no injuries.
“Astro would have been a no go for him, but he has had the recovery in between and he will be fine.”
Leigh Griffiths trained with the team yesterday but Rodgers won’t take any chances with the strikers hamstring injury.
A recurrence of the injury that resurfaced at Wembley on Scotland duty could see the former Hibs striker out of action until the new year.
“We’ll assess Leigh on Wednesday morning,” Rodgers added. “He did the warm up with the group Tuesday morning an he’s making good progress.”
Apart from Kieran Tierney, who will be out until the new year, Rodgers has a full squad available for tonight’s match.
