Celtic have two huge Champions League games coming up this month.
Brendan Rodgers needs his players to improve their performance because destiny is in their hands regarding qualification to the knockout stages.
After a small break to deal with the festive period, European action will return and Celtic host Young Boys on January 22, before a mouthwatering trip to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on January 29.
When Celtic face-off against Villa, it will be the first time the former European champions will meet and a familiar face will want to line up against Celtic.
When the draw was made for the revamped Champions League group stage in August, as soon as Celtic and Villa came out of the hat, John McGinn was the player everyone was talking about.
McGinn is a boyhood Celtic fan and he has spoken about facing the champions of Scotland on Europe’s biggest stage as the captain of Aston Villa.
But, McGinn picked up an injury against Leicester City on January 4 and his manager Unai Emery provided an update on the player on Tuesday, January 15.
John McGinn injury update as Celtic Champions League clash looms
The issue McGinn is trying to contend with is his hamstring, so it requires a period of rest for the all-action midfielder.
It seems as though the Scotland international will be touch and go for the Celtic game because Emery said he needs ‘a minimum of one week’ before he can return to training, as posted by Jacob Tanswell on Twitter.
If that happens, then it will be just in time to prepare for the Celtic match, but it is still touch and go.
“Ross Barkley is two/three weeks more,” shared Emery. “(John) McGinn will need one week minimum to be more or less close to being with us. Pau Torres will need another 6/8 weeks more.”
Who will be missing for Aston Villa against Celtic?
As of this moment, two senior Villa players will certainly miss the Celtic match and that’s starting centre-back, Pau Torres and midfielder Ross Barkley.
Plus, with the January transfer window open, players could also leave and it looks like winger Jaden Philogene is heading for the exit door, as well as centre-back Diego Carlos.
Then there are suggestions that Celtic want to sign Louie Barry from Villa – he was on loan at Stockport County, but was recalled after his strong form, so could he be wearing Celtic colours by the end of the month?
- READ MORE: Who is Louie Barry? Get to know Celtic-linked Aston Villa winger who holds unique Barcelona record
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