Hatem Abd Elhamed makes his first appearance in a Celtic shirt since the win over Lazio last November in a Reserve Cup semi-final against Hibs today.
The Israeli internationalist suffered a groin injury in the Olympico Stadium then had a set-back during the winter training camp in Dubai.
Jeremie Frimpong has emerged as a very capable replacement but the return of Elhamed gives Neil Lennon a number of alternatives in defence.
January signings Ismaila Soro and Patryk Klimala are also in the starting XI while Kerr McInroy is named as a substitute- his first involvement since suffering cruciate ligament damage 10 months ago.
With Karamoko Dembele, Ewan Henderson and Stephen Welsh all included it’s a strong side available to Tommy McIntyre for today’s match at Lennoxtown which kicks off at 2pm.
CELTIC: Hughes; Elhamed, Hjelde, Welsh, Church; Soro, Connell; Dembele, Henderson, Arzani; Klimala
SUBS: Angelini, Paterson, Burt, Coffey, Oko-Flex, McInroy, McGrath