Celtic right-back Moritz Bauer doubtful for Partick Thistle

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Celtic right-back Mortiz Bauer’s injury from Sunday appears likely to have carried over into the week.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon today confirmed that the Austrian is a big doubt for tomorrow. He stated that the clash with Partick could come too soon for him, but is hoping he’ll be fit for the weekend clash with Hibernian.

Celtic face Thistle tomorrow in their Betfred Cup quarter-final clash at Celtic Park. It would’ve provided the perfect chance for Bauer to carry on from his Kilmarnock performance from Saturday.

Bauer managed an assist at the weekend. However, when you look at his chances of starting on Saturday, you have to admit they could be slim.

Celtic travel to Easter Road looking to end their dreadful Premiership record in Leith. The Hoops haven’t won any of their last four against Hibs in Edinburgh since they were promoted to the top division several years ago.

Therefore, with a bit of a hoodoo hanging over us at Easter Road, Lenny surely won’t want to take any risks. Our number one backline doesn’t contain Bauer in it. Therefore, even though the manager is saying he could be fit for the weekend, it would be a surprise to see him start.

Tomorrow would’ve been Bauer’s ideal chance

Bauer will get plenty of chances this season. However, tomorrow night seemed like the ideal game for him. It’s disappointing he looks strongly like missing out.

Bauer had to come off against Kilmarnock on Saturday with a twisted ankle. If there is any pain still there, Celtic are right to take all precautions.

You have to fancy Celtic to turn over Partick however they line-up tomorrow. Even with a back three, Partick shouldn’t pose any threat regardless of the fact they have a new manager in the door in Ian McCall.

We already have big injury concerns in Nir Bitton and Jozo Simunovic being sidelined respectively. It was all set up nicely for Hatem Abd Elhamed to feature alongside Kristoffer Ajer, with Bauer potentially making up the back four.

However, it’s looking likely that Bauer’s inclusion in the first team tomorrow won’t be happening. How Lenny combats the knocks will be interesting.

In any case, with so many games coming up over the next few months, Bauer’s time will come. But if he misses out tomorrow, it’s a big disappointment for him.