Ange Postecoglou has explained the absence of some key players from last night’s 4-0 win over St Mirren.
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Hampden took a lot out of the squad as they battled against the weather on a surface that wasn’t fit for purpose.
The absence of Giorgos Giakoumakis from the squad was the main eye-catcher but the normally resolute Cameron Carter-Vickers was also missing, as was Alexandro Bernabei, forcing Josip Juranovic to play at left-back.
Despite playing together for the first time the hoops defence kept a clean sheet.
Giving a head count to the Sun, Postecoglou said:
Giakoumakis and Carter-Vickers pulled up sore from the weekend. At a stretch, Giako might be available for Saturday. Cam probably will be, but we’ll probably still rest him for Saturday even though it’s nothing significant.
Berna, I just thought I’d rest him tonight because he’s had two big games. He’ll be back in on Saturday.
Moritz Jenz was also missing from Saturday’s squad, the on loan defender was on the bench at Hampden but watched from the stand last night.
Sead Haksabanovic made his first appearance of 2023, replacing Jota after 80 minutes with Stephen Welsh and Tony Ralston also listed among the substitutes.
