NEIL LENNON has updated the Celtic supporters on the fitness of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, as well as providing status reports on Odsonne Edouard, Hatem Abd Elhamed and Nir Bitton. Barkas, a £4.5m signing from AEK Athens this summer, missed the game versus Aberdeen and Lennon has revealed he picked up a shoulder injury in the defeat to AC Milan but has travelled to Lille.
🗣️ NL on Barkas: “He’s travelled but he has an ongoing shoulder issue, it’s nothing too strenuous.” #UEL #LOSCCEL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 28, 2020
However, the Irishman confirmed that the Israeli right-back wouldn’t make the trip to France after returning back in Glasgow after his period of self-isolation from Coronavirus. The defender tested positive whilst on International duty and this game has come too soon for him, meaning he will remain at home while his teammates are on Europa League duty.
His international teammate Nir Bitton has made the trip to Lille along with talisman Odsonne Edouard – both of whom tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the last three games. Christopher Jullien, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston remain sidelines so it is fair to say Celtic have been depleted in recent weeks.
🗣️ NL: “Elhamed has stayed in Glasgow, Bitton and Edouard have travelled.
They’re up to speed to play a part in the game but whether we start them or not that’ll be something we’ll have to assess.”#UEL #LOSCCEL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 28, 2020
Scott Bain is likely to start on Thursday as Lennon looks to protect his goalkeeper from anymore potential harm. Barkas has come under fire since moving to Celtic but he has been left exposed by the lack of defensive cover this year.
