The Bhoys are due to take part in the International Champions Cup this weekend.
Celtic coach Kennedy
First team coach John Kennedy has explained the absence of four Celtic players ahead of the club’s trip to Dublin this weekend.
The Bhoys face Barcelona in the International Champions Cup at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, with the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Astana coming up.
Dublin’s Aviva Stadium
As such, Kennedy, who was speaking in Brendan Rodgers’ absence, told Celtic’s official Twitter feed that most of the travelling squad will be handed run-outs against the Spanish champions.
However, he revealed that four players – Erik Sviatchenko, Kolo Toure, Mikael Lustig and Stefan Johansen – have been left behind for varying reasons, the latter of whom has been linked with a move to Galatasaray this summer.
Johansen became a dad on Friday
“(The squad is) pretty much the same as we had in Astana. Erik didn’t travel over,” Kennedy explained via the club’s official Twitter feed.
“Kolo is still working fitness wise so he’ll stay back. (It’s a) bit early for him to play.
“Lustig hasn’t travelled but there’s nothing in that. We’re just looking after him.
“Stefan Johansen also became a father this morning so he has stayed at home too.”
Toure, who completed his free transfer move from Liverpool on Sunday, was registered in time for Wednesday’s trip to Kazakhstan despite not travelling, and is therefore eligible to feature in next week’s return leg should he return to fitness.
Celtic were also without Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer for the first leg, which they drew 1-1 courtesy of Leigh Griffiths’ late strike.
Toure will have to wait for his Bhoys debut
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