CELTIC will face St Johnstone on Wednesday evening without Brendan Rodgers’ first choice pairing in central defence.
Dedryck Boyata has missed the last two games against St Mirren and Hamilton, after starting against Airdrie in the Scottish Cup. He remains sidelined for the visit of St Johnstone which presents Celtic with the tantalising prospect of going six points clear and improving the goal difference even further.
And out too will be Filip Benkovic who has also picked up an injury and will miss out against the Saints.
That means that Brendan Rodgers will look to partner Kristoffer Ajer, who has performed well alongside Benkovic in the last two league games, with Celtic’s other Croatian defender Jozo Simunovic, who was an unused substitute at the weekend.
On a more positive note for Celtic, the surprise early exit for Australia at the Asian Cup to hosts UAE on Friday means that Tom Rogic is now back with the Celtic squad and is available for selection.
Rogic was suspended for the Socceroos 1-0 defeat to the UAE and he’s in good shape so could feature.
Scott Bain will continue in goals after Brendan Rodgers revealed last week that he’d decided to give the former Dundee man a run in the team.
Maryan Shved is having his medical and should complete his £1.75million move shortly. He’ll no doubt be introduced under the Disco lights at half-time, in the way that Bayo was last midweek.
Expected Celtic line-up for the game against St Johnstone…
CELTIC – Bain, Lustig, Ajer, Simunovic, Izaguirre, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Forrest, Sinclair and Burke.
Also on The Celtic Star…
Fractured Hibs – ‘Neil Lennon will walk into another job,’ states Brendan Rodgers
