Neil Lennon will go into the final two fixtures of 2019 without Moi Elyounoussi and Hatem Abd Elhamed.
The two newcomers were key players as Celtic made progress in the Europa League but between them they have only managed 45 minutes action this month with Elyounoussi looking well short when he was substituted at half-time in the League Cup Final.
Jeremie Frimpong has made the right-back position his own over the last two months but Elyounoussi has been missed on the left with Mikey Johnston working his way back to fitness.
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Asked about bumps and bruises from the Aberdeen match Lennon said:
No, it’s as you were really. Elhamed is not a million miles away but it’s just maybe too soon for him before the break. Mikey has had a few niggles here and there but we’re hoping that he is over that now. Elyounoussi won’t be fit so it’s basically as you were. It’ll be January now (for Elyounoussi), he won’t be fit for the Rangers game, he’s still feeling it a bit and he hasn’t really done any work. We’ll just have to leave that one for now.
The only position in the side with a question mark for St Mirren on Thursday is at left-back. Jonny Hayes played against Hearts with Boli Bolingoli taking over for the win over St Mirren.
With Greg Taylor also available Lennon isn’t short of options for that position in his team.