Martin Canning not expecting Celtic's woes to make it any easier

Hamilton manager Martin Canning. Pic: SNS

Celtic face a shortage of central defenders for the Ladbrokes Premiership clash, with Jack Hendry and Marvin Compper definitely out, Jozo Simunovic a major doubt and Dedryck Boyata’s availability and future uncertain.

Kristoffer Ajer could be Brendan Rodgers’ only recognised centre-back for the Ladbrokes Premiership encounter but he has the option of bringing international full-backs Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney into a three-man back line and replacing them out wide with two more internationals in Cristian Gamboa and Emilio Izaguirre.

So Canning does not think there is much of problem for the Hoops as they prepare to face Accies in between their Europa League play-offs against Lithuanian side Suduva.

“I don’t think it makes a difference,” Canning said. “Celtic have so many good players and they are such a professional, good team, that it doesn’t make a difference when you play them.

“They are so used to playing European games and midweek games that I don’t think it has an impact.

“Whatever team Brendan puts out  on the pitch, there  are international  footballers right through the team.

“We know what to expect, it’s going to be a difficult game and we need to make sure we are at it to give ourselves an opportunity to take something from the game.

“Concentration is key, if you concentrate and keep focused, you give yourselves a chance against them.”