With injuries mounting up once again at the most crucial point in the club’s season, it’s clear that Celtic need to find out why so many players keep getting injured.
A mightily impressive 3-1 Champions League qualifying win over Norwegian champions Rosenborg provided a much-needed boost with much of the focus being on Celtic’s injury concerns.
It’s now been two Champions League qualifying campaigns in a row that Celtic have had to use either makeshift centre-backs or inexperienced ones. Granted, Jozo Simunovic’s careless red card against Alashkert has added to the issues, but Celtic are now carrying big injuries all over the park to key players.
Moussa Dembele will miss the Rosenborg tie and perhaps the first-leg of the third qualifying round against AEK Athens with yet another hamstring tweak. His replacement, Leigh Griffiths, is also trying to build up his fitness after another calf complaint.
In the midfield, both Jonny Hayes and Lewis Morgan have depleted the squad depth down the flanks with injuries, with only Scott Sinclair and James Forrest available from the viable wide options.
Not a lot can be done about Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig’s omission from the back-line after their World Cup duties, but Marvin Compper continues to frustrate with his constant injury problems. This is the sort of chance the German should be stepping up and grabbing. Instead, he’s sitting in the treatment room with other potential Champions League squad players.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Last season, Celtic had over a full team of players out missing, and it hugely affected their domestic form. Added to that, they were forced to play Nir Bitton at centre-back in their most crucial games of the season in the Champions League.
The World Cup hasn’t helped, but Celtic continue to have big injury problems stricken them at both ends of the pitch. Another one to Odsonne Edouard would leave Celtic without a recognised striker – something they’ve had to adapt to in the past.
What’s the source of these injury outbreaks? How often will Celtic play with fire in the Champions League qualifiers? These are questions Celtic will have to start finding the answer to and quickly.