Celtic take a healthy 3-0 lead to Austria tonight ahead of the Champions League playoff second leg against LASK. Manager Martin O’Neill has decisions to make ahead of the game in Linz.
Who exactly is available and who is not ahead of the second leg tonight? Celtic DNA analyses the team news ahead of the big game.
Auston Trusty - Expected to be available
Auston Trusty looked like he might be a doubt for the game after he missed the final training session before the squad flew out to Austria last night.
However, Martin O’Neill gave a positive update in his pre match press conference. The manager stated that Trusty missed the training session due to illness and not injury. The USA international travelled to Austria with the squad and is expected to be available for selection tonight. A boost for the club after Trusty started the season relatively well along side CCV.
Alistair Johnston - Remains out
Martin O’Neill also confirmed that Alistair Johnston’s scan suggests that the defender will be out of action until October. Meaning Celtic will have to look towards the market for a short term replacement. The news will be seen as a blow for the club with big domestic and European games coming up. Donovan stepping up with a big performance last week in the first leg will go someway to comfort the manager.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Still suspended
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also still unavailable.
The midfielder is half way through serving a three game ban from his time at Turkish side Besiktas. Leaving the club somewhat short in the middle of the park even with the introduction of new signing Baur. Maybe we will see more from Reo Hatate in the tie despite being linked with a move away.
Jota - Still unavailable
Jota remains on the comeback trail but there is currently no timeline for his return. Fans are desperate to see him back in the hoops but his return to full fitness must be managed carefully. Hopefully we see Jota back in time to play in Champions League games should the club qualify tonight.
O’Neill still has strong options
Despite those absences, Celtic still have strong options, particularly in the forward areas of the pitch. It was Nygren and Duran who helped score the goals in the commanding home win last week. Martin O’Neill will hope they can help fire his side to a similar result in the second leg also. Celtic know that scoring over in Austria will all but kill the tie and the club will be confident that they have the players available to finish the job and qualify for the league phase of the competition.
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only
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