Real Betis v Celtic: Postecoglou confirms McGregor and Abada both miss trip to Seville

Celtic will be without a growing band of first team stars including the club captain Callum McGregor for tomorrow’s Europa League Group stages opener against Real Betis.

The Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that McGregor picked up a knock in the 3-0 win over Ross County at the weekend and will not make the trip to Seville. Also missing from Saturday’s starting eleven will be left back Greg Taylor who will be out for a lengthy period of time as he awaits surgery on his shoulder injury and also Liel Abada, who misses the match due to religious reasons.

Forrest, McGregor and Kyogo will all be missing against Real Betis. Photo Andrew Milligan

James Forrest is still a week to ten days away from a return while new signing Georgios Giakoumakis isn’t yet up to speed in terms of fitness after missing his pre-season at his former club VVV Venlo. Japanese star Kyogo is already on the sidelines for a month or so after picking a knee injury while on International duty.

On the plus side, Anthony Ralston is now back in the squad after his mysterious absence following the international break – indeed Steve Clarke hinted that there was a medical issue with Ralston that prevented him naming the in-form Celtic right back as a late call-up for the World Cup match in Vienna.

A possible Celtic team could look something like this tomorrow evening:

Hart, Ralston, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Montgomery, Juranovic, McCarthy, Rogic, Turnbull, Jota and Ajeti.

The Celtic bench will be rather weak to say the least with Bain, Soro, Urhoghide, Shaw and Welsh plus some academy players.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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