Celtic play host to Partick Thistle on Saturday in the Scottish Cup.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be expecting his side to bounce back from just his second domestic defeat since taking over at Parkhead against Kilmarnock last weekend, as his side play host to Partick on Saturday.
The Hoops will be looking to continue their defence of the Scottish Cup as they meet Alan Archibald’s side in the fifth round, with Partick looking to put their 2-0 defeat to Rangers on Tuesday behind them.
With Celtic huge favourites to see off their Scottish Premiership rivals, Rodgers is likely to make a number of changes to his side. All eyes will be on his defence, after Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer limped out of the defeat at Rugby Park.
Assistant manager John Kennedy issued some good news, stating that Jozo Simunovic missed last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Steve Clarke’s side as a precaution and he could come into the side from the off.
He is likely to partner makeshift defender Nir Btitton, with Marvin Compper still some way off recovering from a calf injury that has prevented him from making his Celtic debut under Rodgers. Jack Hendry is cup-tied.
Outcast Cristian Gamboa could also be given a chance at right-back in what would be his third appearance of the season.
Rodgers could make as many as seven changes, as he looks to rotate his squad to give game time to those who missed out against Kilmarnock. It should see 26-year-old signing Scott Bain also make his debut for the club.
In come Bain, Simunovic, Bitton, Gamboa, Callum McGregor, Scott Sinclair and Odsonne Edouard, while Dorus de Vries, Ajer, Boyata, Hendry, Olivier Ntcham, James Forrest and Moussa Dembele drop out.
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