JEREMIE FRIMPONG, who was dropped for the 4-1 debacle against Sparta Prague in midweek, will also miss this afternoon’s Betfred League Cup opener against Ross County at Parkhead.
The teenage Dutch right-back is suspended for the tie and his place is likely to be taken again by Israeli international right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed.
Frimpong is serving an automatic ban following his red card in last season’s 1-0 win over Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden where Christopher Jullien scored the only goal of a dramatic Final.
Neil Lennon has also added youngster Stephen Welsh to his provisional squad, as reported in the Sunday Mail.
The Hoops gaffer is hopeful of having Leigh Griffiths available after the striker sat out the Europa League loss in the Czech capital with a knee problem.
MATCHWINNER…Christopher Jullien celebrates the victory goal in last season’s Betfred League Cup Final.
Central defender Jullien made his return to action against Sparta after missing 14 games with a back injury and the French ace is set to continue on the comeback trail against the Highlanders.
Shane Duffy, who scored on his debut as the champions hammered County 5-0 in Dingwall in September, is likely to be on the substitutes’ bench again.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Scott Bain, Vasilis Barkas, Conor Hazard, Hatem Abd Elhamed, Christopher Jullien, Shane Duffy, Kristoffer Ajer, Nir Bitton, Stephen Welsh, Diego Laxalt,Greg Taylor, Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, Callum McGregor, Ismaila Soro, Ewan Henderson, Ryan Christie, Tom Rogic, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Karamoko Dembele, Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths, Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Ross County this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
