JOZO SIMUNOVIC is set to sit out his third successive game when Celtic take on St Mirren in the Premiership at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Croatian defender has not been named in Neil Lennon’s provisional squad for a crucial encounter that could see the champions stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership to 16 points.
Simunovic complained of a knee injury after his howler set up FC Copenhagen for the vital opening goal in the Hoops’ Europa League exit nine days ago.
He missed the 1-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final win over St Johnstone on Sunday and was missing again when Lennon’s side earned a 2-2 draw on the plastic pitch at Livingston in midweek.
There looked to be a chance of a return against the Paisley side, but according to a report in the Daily Record, the versatile back-four performer is not in the match day pool of players which is a setback in his comeback bid to play his part in the important run-in to the campaign with the quadruple treble up for grabs.
French midfielder Olivier Ntcham is also absent again, but is expected to return to training next week as he recovers from a calf problem.
Provisional squad: Forster, Frimpong, Bauer, Elhamed, Hayes, Ajer, Bolingoli, Taylor, Jullien, Bitton, Brown, McGregor, Rogic, Christie, Forrest, Elyounoussi, Edouard, Klimala, Griffiths, Bayo and Gordon.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v St Mirren this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
