Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has joked that he may have to use winger James Forrest in defence for their UEFA Champions League qualifier after suffering a serious issue at the back.
Celtic have Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry as their only recognised central defenders for their crucial European tie against Rosenborg on Wednesday.
Mikael Lustig is still on holiday after World Cup duty with Sweden, Dedryck Boyata likewise with Belgium, Marvin Compper is injured and Jozo Simunovic is suspended after picking up a red card against Alashkert.
As such, Rodgers jokingly suggest that Forrest, a firm favourite among the Parkhead faithful, might be in for a shock switch to the heart of defence.
“Over the couple of years I’ve been here, this stage of the competition has always been tough for us,” Rodgers told the Herald.
“We’ve had players out, especially centre-backs. But touch wood we get to this first leg and the weeks after that in good health.
“I’ll play James Forrest there!
“We’ll have a look at what to do with Lustig and Boyata. Compper I don’t think will be available. He got injured in training the other day and I’m not so sure he’ll be ready. We’ll just assess it and see where we are with the squad. We’ll see where the players are and take it from there.”
OPINION
This is a bad position for Brendan Rodgers to be in. Forget the Old Firm derby, This could turn out to be Celtic’s most important game of the season. It’s massive for the Hoops to be in the Champions League this season, they will probably win the league at a canter once again, so it’s important that they have European competition to give the fans some different to shout about this season. It’s clear from the manager’s predicament that they need to sign a host of new defenders before the transfer window shuts. Marvin Compper and Jozo Simunovic are not good enough to be playing first-team football at Celtic Park, Dedryck Boyata is looking likely to be sold and Mikael Lustig is not getting any younger ahead of this season. There is one positive that comes out of this crisis, it could ramp up their transfer activity over the next few weeks.