Falkirk vs Celtic injury news: 11 out + 1 doubt as defensive fears eased but key star unlikely to return this season
Latest injury and team news ahead of Wednesday’s Scottish Premiership clash between Falkirk and Celtic at the Falkirk Stadium
Celtic will attempt to make it two wins from two under caretaker boss Martin O’Neill when his side travel to Falkirk on Scottish Premiership duty on Wednesday night (KO: 7.45pm).
Aiming to keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts at the top of the table, the Hoops will be eager to build on their 4-0 home rout of Dundee United last weekend as they put a turbulent month under former head coach Wilfried Nancy behind them.
Having summoned club legend O’Neill back to the club to fill the Parkhead hotseat until the end of the season, the champions will know they’re in for another difficult test against a Bairns side who have ambitions of securing a top-six finish this season in their first year back in the top-flight.
John McGlynn’s men head into the clash in a confident frame of mind following an impressive 2-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley last Saturday, catapulting them back into the top half of the table. That was their third win in their last four games.
Both sides head into this midweek contest with a number of injury concerns, with up to 12 players expected to miss the game. Here, GlasgowWorld has rounded up the early team and injury news ahead of Wednesday’s league meeting:
Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic) - OUT
Nigerian frontman is still nursing the second hamstring injury he's suffered this season, and is unlikely to return until later this month
Tom Lang (Falkirk) - OUT
Central defender is struggling with a foot injury that is likely to rule him out for a bit longer. Another player scheduled to return at the end of January
Auston Trusty (Celtic) - DOUBT
American centre-back was spotted limping at the end of Saturday’s match amid concerns he’d tweaked a hamstring. Was back in full training today, but is rated touch-and-go for this game
Lewis Neilson (Falkirk) - OUT
On loan Hearts defender has been sidelined since October with an ankle problem. Pencilled in for a return to training later this month
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) - OUT
Expected to miss the remainder of the season due to an Achilles injury he picked up late last year against Sturm Graz in the Europa League
Ross MacIver (Falkirk) - OUT
Striker is laid low with an ankle issue. Won’t play any part in this contest
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) - AVAILABLE
Recalled from his impressive loan spell at Motherwell earlier this week, and could be included in the matchday squad if Trusty misses out
Gary Oliver (Falkirk) - OUT
Versatile attacker is currently on the treatment table with a hamstring issue, and reports suggest he won't be back until February
Marcelo Saracchi (Celtic) - OUT
On loan Boca Juniors defender has been absent for several weeks owing to a hamstring injury. Has stepped up his recovery and could be back involved in the coming weeks.
Callum Osmand (Celtic) - OUT
Required surgery on a hamstring tear just a few days after scoring on his senior debut in in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over Rangers. Not anticipated to return until March at the earliest
Jamie Sneddon (Falkirk) - OUT
Back-up goalkeeper has been out a hernia problem for almost a year. No scheduled return date at present
Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic) - AVAILABLE
Omitted from the squad to face Dundee United at the weekend,, despite returning from the AFCON with DR Congo at the same time as Sebastian Tounekti last week. Could be drafted on to the bench for this match
Jota (Celtic) - OUT
Portuguese winger is no closer to returning from a long-term ACL injury sustained last April. Projected to be out until the summer, according to Martin O’Neill
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) - OUT
Canadian full-back isn't due back until March after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury that required surgery