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List of unavailable players grows as Rosenborg clash looms

By Conall McCourt

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 19: Brendan Rogers, Manager of Celtic and Moussa Dembele of Celtic embrace following the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and VfL Borussia Moenchengladbach at Celtic Park on October 19, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 19: Brendan Rogers, Manager of Celtic and Moussa Dembele of Celtic embrace following the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and VfL Borussia Moenchengladbach at Celtic Park on October 19, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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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”"

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 05: Moussa Dembele of Celtic is seen during a Celtic FC training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City at Lennoxtown training ground on December 5, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 05: Moussa Dembele of Celtic is seen during a Celtic FC training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City at Lennoxtown training ground on December 5, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

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.

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.

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