Celtic are in back in cup action when visiting first division Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 1.45pm).
| “They think he has a chance of making Juventus and we are hoping Emilio should be okay” – Neil Lennon |
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster was expected to return from a recent neck injury that has ruled him out of the last four games, while winger James Forrest has recovered from hamstring trouble.
But striker Georgios Samaras and defender Emilio Izaguirre are definitely unavailable and recent signing Tom Rogic won’t yet be considered.
Both Samaras and Izaguirre were substituted during the midweek 4-1 victory over Kilmanock but it is hoped the pair will recover in time to face Juventus in the Champions League later this month.
“It is a small tear for Georgios but we are going to be aggressive with his rehabilitation,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon told BBC Scotland. “And our medical people, I wouldn’t say they were confident, but they think he has a chance of making Juventus and we are hoping Emilio should be okay.”
Rovers have David Smith available after his loan from Hearts was extended by a further month.
The two sides already met earlier in the season in the League Cup when the hosts ran out comprehensive 4-1 winners courtesy of a quartet of Gary Hooper goals at Celtic Park.
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