Celtic are eyeing up a potential boost for their crunch Champions League qualifying second leg clash against Rosenborg as they plot an appeal against Jozo Simunovic’s additional ban, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Hoops were shocked to discover that the 23-year-old had been handed another game’s suspension after his red card in the last round of the competition, ruling him out for both the home and away leg against the Norwegian side.
However, having asked for additional information regarding the decision to extend the ban, Celtic are set to make the crucial decision on whether to appeal or not today (Monday, 30 July), which could result in the defender being available for the second leg, if the appeal is not heard before Wednesday’s game.
Opinion
While those at Celtic Park might have been shocked by the decision to give Simunovic another game ban after his red card against Alashkert, there will be many who saw it as a worthy punishment. The offence was a high challenge which received a red card, which would usually be accompanied by a three game ban in domestic football. As such, two games, which is both the home and away leg against Rosenborg, seems pretty fair, but it could not have come at a worse time for Brendan Rodgers. The Celtic boss is still facing a defensive crisis with Dedryck Boyata still on holiday after his international duty with Belgium, and so having Simunovic back and ready for action would be a major boost to their hopes. Of course, a failed appeal will see him sit out the next game, but by then Boyata will be back, so there will not be as much of an issue. Of course, if UEFA view the appeal as frivolous, then they could extend it further. The Hoops are walking a tightrope here – but will they fall off?