Celtic late team news for St Johnstone: Two fresh starts earmarked to 'bring energy'

Celtic could field a notably different starting XI against St Johnstone from the one selected for their midweek loss in Leipzig.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will consider making changes to his line-up for St Johnstone as he looks for his team to bring "intensity and energy" to the clash. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Manager Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged he has “a few players who are waiting for an opportunity, and there might be a chance to get them game-time” in Perth. It is a fixture faced as he juggles his squad ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal rematch with RB Leizig at Celtic Park in the second part of their Champions League double header. Already without the suspended and injured Callum McGregor, Aaron Mooy is expected to be fit after missing out in midweek, and could be joined by Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a decision to be made on the pair after both trained on Friday. Meanwhile, David Turnbull is sidelined with tonsillitis.

However, it is in the final third that Celtic could be extensively refreshed for their McDiarmid Park encounter. Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was used from the bench in Germany, while Liel Abada was excused the trip through winger then observing the Jewish holiest day of Yom Kippur.

"St Johnstone played midweek and were disappointed to lose, so at home they are going to make it hard for us,” said the Celtic manager. "We will need to have plenty of energy and intensity to our game, so it makes sense to make some changes. But we will wait and see how everyone looks before making changes. Giorgos came on in midweek and it's good to have him back. Liel is also available. Those two especially can add some of that energy I am talking about.”

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