Brendan Rodgers could be dealt another injury blow in the wake of their Dortmund drubbing with Alistair Johnston facing a spell on the sidelines.
The right-back played in Celtic’s Champions League mauling in Germany to Borussia Dortmund where they crashed to a 7-1 humbling defeat but came off before the end to be replaced by Anthony Ralston. But he has now been left out of Canada’s latest international squad with boss Jesse Marsch insists it’s because he is ‘rehabbing’ a back injury.
Johnston has been withdrawn from the Canada squad for their friendly later this month against Panama – putting his place in the side for Sunday’s clash Scottish Premiership clash with Ross County in doubt. Marsch said: “Alistair Johnston and midfielder Ismael Kone are both rehabbing injuries. It’s back and ankle injuries for them.”
And things aren’t getting any easier for the Hoops in Europe after Dortmund, with Atalanta next on the agenda. Boss Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his side to expect a ‘tough’ match against Celtic their demolition at the hands of Dortmund.
Celtic are next in action in Italy in their third round of fixtures when they face Atalanta in Bergamo later this month. The Serie A side have made a positive start to the tournament after a goalless draw with Arsenal and then they comfortably beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in Gelsenkirchen.
Gasperini still expects Celtic to provide a real challenge, stating: “It’s too early to be thinking about what we need to quality, but it is clear we are in a good position so far. But already I am only thinking about our next game with Celtic.
“They will be tough opponents. And after that, we have to play Stuttgart, Barcelona and Real Madrid. So it is very important to get points as quickly as possible. But I have to praise my players because technically they were very good and we deserved the win against Shakhtar.”
Looking towards January, Celtic could face a battle to land Bazoumana Toure from Hammarby. Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen are all said to have scouted the 18-year-old – but the Parkhead outfit are said to be leading the race at this stage for the £8.3m-rated striker.
Fotboll Direkt report there has been “very strong developments” behind the scenes at the club with the wonderkid pushing for a January exit. It is claimed the suitor list is “growing like crazy” but the Hoops are among the frontrunners at this stage.