Celtic begin their Europa League campaign with a tough trip to Belgrade to face Crvena zvezda at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off: 8pm UK time).
After disposing of Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup with a thumping 4-0 victory, Brendan Rodgers will now turn his attention back to Europe, as he looks to lead his side to an opening game victory in the Serbian capital.
Crvena zvezda will head into the game looking for a statement victory of their own, though, and will have plenty of confidence after going top of the Serbian SuperLiga with a vital 2-1 away victory at rivals FK Partizan on Saturday night.
Head coach Rodgers is likely to ring the changes for the visit to the Serbian capital, after rotating his starting XI at the weekend. Kasper Schmeichel, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Arne Engels will all be eyeing starts, while Marcelo Sarrachi will hope to dislodge Kieran Tierney at left-back.
However, Celtic are expected to be without five first-team players due to injury for their Europa League opener, with several of the team’s star players ruled out of the game in Belgrade. Meanwhile, the hosts have some concerns of their own for the game.
Ahead of the game at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, The Scotsman has all the early team news:
9. Jota - Celtic - INELIGIBLE/OUT
The Portuguese winger is still out with an ACL injury, and is not expected to return until the turn of the year at the earliest. He is therefore not included in the squad for the competition, and plays no part on Wednesday. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Hayato Inamura - Celtic - INELIGIBLE
Another to be left out of the Celtic's squad for the competition, the Japanese defender will not feature. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images