Carl Starfelt was forced off the field yesterday as Celtic at home to Livingston. The Celts toiled but struggled to create many openings against a stubborn opponent. The late penalty miss from Giorgos Giakoumakis likely meant that the majority of people leaving Paradise forgot about the Swede having to leave the field in the second half.
The defeat leaves Celtic in the same position as last week, four points behind Rangers after Steven Gerrard’s side won at Motherwell. However, the focus moves from domestic duty to European action as Celtic prepare for a trip to Budapest to face Ferencvaros.
Ange Postecoglou will know that the likely absence of Starfelt on Thursday means that he needs to look to his squad as to who can join Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back. The Celtic defence has been solid in recent weeks but this disruption has come too soon for Christopher Jullien.
The Frenchman is back training but is not expected to be fit until after the International Break. In the 3-0 win over Dundee United at the end of 2020, the French defender rushed towards the goal and slid in to make a goal-saving clearance but was left grounded when his knee collided with the base of the post. The horror smash saw the central defender stretchered off.
Nir Bitton settled into the back four after Starfelt was forced from the field yesterday. The Israeli defender has often deputised in defence but Ange appears to be keen on keeping him in the midfield. With Tom Rogic out, you would expect Bitton to start in that No 6 role. Unless, he was to push Bitton into defence and call upon James McCarthy.
Liam Scales is yet to make his first Celtic start. Signed predominantly as a central defender, Scales also plays at left-back but is yet to really make an impact. With Jullien and Starfelt out, Scales could be ready to be put into starting XI as Celtic look to push ahead with their ambitions to play in Europe beyond Christmas.
Stephen Welsh is another contender to start against the Hungarian Champions. He last started the defeat to Livingston in which he was partially culpable for Shinnie’s winner. Since then, the impressive youngster has struggled to feature with Starfelt and CCV holding down starting spots. He would be the obvious choice but we will need to see.
