Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels return to the Celtic side for tonight’s Europa League match at home to Sturm Graz.
It is more than two months since the Canadian suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League qualifier at home to Kairat Almaty.
Johnston replaces Tony Ralston in the side that lost to Dundee with Engels coming in for Yang Hyun-jun with no obvious right-winger in the Celtic side.
It is unlikely that Johnston will be able to complete 90 minutes but his pace should give the right side of the team a boost.
Engels hasn’t started many matches this season, his inclusion suggests that Brendan Rodgers might be switching to a 4-4-2 after starting every match so far with a 4-3-3.
On Matchday 2 Celtic had a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Braga, controversially having an ‘equaliser’ from Kelechi Iheanacho disallowed early in the second half.
That followed on from a fairly promising 1-1 draw away to Red Star Belgrade when Iheanacho put the visitors in front.
GROUP STANDINGS
Celtic really do need to take all three points tonight to be on course to advance in the competition.
Matches 4 and 5 are away to Midtjylland and Feyenoord, going into that double header with one or two points would be asking a lot.
Sturm Graz sit on three points after losing their opening match away to Midtjylland but bouncing back with a home win in Russell Martin’s second last match in charge at Ibrox.
Sturm are top of the Austrian league while Celtic trail Hearts by five points in the SPFL Pemiership. Next up for the hoops is a very demanding trip to Tynecastle on Sunday with that match being shown live on Sky Sports,
CELTIC: Schmeichel: Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Nygren, Iheanacho, Tounekti
SUBS: Sinisalo, Trusty, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Kenny, Bernardo, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan, Ralston
The person who said on here the other day the fans should be congregating on the pitch right in front of where they w*nkers sit and giving them hell was spot on
Neil was very positive on commentary tonight to keep my spirts up watching solo. Indeed he was bang on saying if we get one back we win. Donovan no2 right back for me over AJ. Sorry Tony but you are too slow. Johnny Kenny going to have to be coached on movement for creating space for others. Made plenty of chances which is a big plus. Engles delivers corners like John Collins and Nygren a modern day pat mcginley! 3 wins until next Sunday and Brendan can start to see his farewell procession back on track.
Good result – But feel pure fuckin sick for AJ – Back and straight out again…
Speedy recovery to the other two as well !