CELTIC’S third-choice keeper Logan Bailly rejected a loan move to answer an SOS from Raith Rovers.
With Kevin Cuthbert and Aaron Lennox already absent, a weekend injury to Conor Brennan left new boss John Hughes without a fit shotstopper for the match.
Raith have already used the maximum number of loans this season, but SPFL rules allow for a goalkeeper to be brought in on loan under “exceptional circumstances”.
Hughes’ choice was to go for the former Belgian international who is behind Craig Gordon and Dorus de Vries in the pecking order at Parkhead.
Club secretary Eric Drysdale said: “Our preference was to find an over-21 goalkeeper with experience and John Hughes was on the phone to Brendan Rodgers during the English League Cup Final game.
“Celtic were very helpful to us. A player was put our way. That was to be done on Monday, but we were, meanwhile, making enquiries of other clubs and other agents to see, in case this deal fell through, we had somebody else to come in.
“Everything was tied up, but suddenly the Celtic goalkeeper was non-contactable.
“But, ultimately, the player decided he didn’t want to do that.
Bailly has made just five appearances for the Hoops since moving from Belgian side Leuven in the summer of 2015.