Celtic could be without a number of key players as they get set to take on Rosenborg in Glagow tomorrow.
Brendan Rodgers today expressed that the hoops could be without both of their star strikers for the crucial clash. Leigh Griffiths is an expected absentee as he serves his game ban for ‘provocation of Linfield fans’, however the manager claimed that Moussa Dembele is also a doubt. The french man appears to be suffering hamstring trouble that forced him to miss training on Tuesday.
Rodgers on Dembele;
"“We are looking at a possible injury he may have, He could be (a doubt) so we could be without him and Leigh so we need to find a wayWe do what we always do, we will try to find a solution within the team to make it work”"
Dembele’s absence would be a major blow to the hoops who would either have to turn to youth or play a midfielder up top. Tom Rogic would be the obvious candidate as the attacker has shown he has an eye for goal in recent times. Nadir Ciftci is a player that is still on the books at Parkhead although his inclusion is highly unlikely after he was told he could leave the club last month.
Defensive issues
Up front is not Rodgers only headache before tomorrows game as defenders appear to be dropping like flies recently. Dedryck Boyata is out for several months with ligament damage while his replacement Erik Sciatchenko has also picked up a knock.
Rodgers indicated that 19-year old Kristoffer Ajer could replace Sviatchenko should the Dane not recover in time. The Norwegian youngster Ajer has played just 30 minutes of Champions League action in his career and they came last year against Lincoln Red imps.
💬 Kristoffer Ajer is happy with new position under Brendan Rodgers after a conversation they shared: https://t.co/tvn9MEC0UN pic.twitter.com/KYCGVCWbip
— Read Celtic (@ReadCeltic) July 17, 2017
Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig have both stepped in to play a central role for Celtic previously however, with Emilo Izaguirre having left the club and Christian Gamboa ruled out through injury there is not a lot of back up should either full back pull up with injury.
Next: Dembele on Marseille radar
No doubt there are several decisions that the gaffer will have to make before tomorrow nights game however there is reason to be optimistic. Of the last twenty-five home Champions League qualifiers the bhoys have played, they have won nineteen losing four and drawing the other two.