Key Celtic duo Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong have been ruled out of the team’s Scottish Premiership clash against Hibernian tomorrow (Saturday).
Manager Brendan Rodgers revealed at his media conference on Friday afternoon that central midfielder Brown and playmaker Armstrong would be sidelined for the match and were facing a “few weeks” out.
Hoops skipper Brown limped out of Celtic’s 3-0 Champions League win over Anderlecht in Brussels on Wednesday night with a hamstring injury.
Armstrong also sat on the sidelines in Belgium after complaining of a tight calf.
The pair will now miss tomorrow’s Premiership match against Hibs as well as Scotland’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the encounter against Slovakia at Hampden next Thursday and the final qualifier against Slovenia three days later.
Rodgers was keen to stress, as quoted by the official Celtic Twitter account, that neither injury is “overly serious” and their absences will not be lengthy ones.
???? BR: “@ScottBrown8 and @StuArmstrong16 won’t be available for a few weeks. Light strains so it’s unfortunate for us and @ScottishFA.”
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) September 29, 2017
???? BR: “We don’t think it’s overly serious but obviously it puts them out the game tomorrow and of course the international games.”
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) September 29, 2017
OPINION
Brown and Armstrong are two of Celtic’s more important players and they will be sorely missed against Hibernian, managed by the combative former Hoops boss Neil Lennon. Brown is particularly key as he sets the tone for Rodgers’ side with his uber commitment and never-say-die approach. Armstrong has failed to reach the heights of last season but is one of the team’s best technical players and is also a valuable source of goals from his central attacking midfield role. The absence of the pair gives Hibs a better chance of getting a result at Parkhead tomorrow.