Celtic go into their crucial Champions League qualifier with a two goal deficit following last week’s first leg in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal will miss the tie following the announcement he is to miss two weeks after being ruled out with a groin strain.
Despite Kayal’s absence, Celtic welcome back Commons, Samaras, Forrest, Stokes and new signing Derk Boerrigter back into the squad. All five of these players were missing from Celtic’s 2-2 draw with league leaders Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday, however manager Neil Lennon has stated the club “are hoping that four of the five who missed Saturday will take part in training today, but whether they finish the session is another thing.”
Celtic, who reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season, must overturn a two goal deficit in order to progress. Lennon said “I need my players to play their best and if they play their best then I think they will win this tie.”
The Celtic manager continued by saying “we know we can create chances against this team and hopefully at home we can take those opportunities. It may be a frustrating evening, so we have to be patient.”
Celtic fans have reasons to be optimistic, having come back from a 2-0 defeat in Europe to progress 3 times out of 4.