Relief as Ange explains surprise absence from Blackburn Rovers draw

There was one surprising name missing when Ange Postecoglou named his Celtic squad for the friendly with Blackburn Rovers. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis put in an impressive, goal scoring 45 minutes away to Banik Ostrava on Wednesday but wasn’t listed in the starting XI or among the 15 substitutes. 

Injuries to Carl Starfelt and Reo Hatate denied Ange Postecoglou two regulars but with Kyogo Furuhashi starting the game Jonny Kenny was the only recognised substitute among the 15 filling the bench. 

Explaining the absence, Ange Postecoglou told the Daily Record: 

Gio has taken a couple of personal days because his missus is due to have a baby. But we sent a personal trainer with him so he’s not getting away with it. 

After a 10 day stint in Austria and the Czech Republic the former VVV Venlo striker will have been glad to return to domestic matters. 

Kyogo wasn’t quite at his most effective in the 2-2 draw but there wasn’t any complaints or concerns about Jota’s performance as he made his first Celtic Park appearance as a permanent signing. 

On Wednesday Celtic continue their pre-season build up with a trip to Poland where they take on Legia Warsaw in Artur Boruc’s farewell match.