LEIGH GRIFFITHS’ hopes of figuring against Sparta Prague tonight have been dealt a blow.
The 30-year-old striker was hoping for some much-needed game time in Celtic’s Europa League Group H encounter in the Czech Republic capital, but will sit out the club’s revenge mission against the side who triumphed 4-1 in Glasgow three weeks ago.
Griffiths has started only one match this season and Neil Lennon revealed: “Leigh is out with a knee problem, but he should be okay over the next few days.”
However, the Hoops boss had better news on long-term crock Christopher Jullien who has been out with a back problem and hasn’t figured since the 5-0 win over Ross County in Dingwall on September 12.
Hatem Abd Elhamed is also in the running to face the Czechs in the club’s fourth outing in the section where they have picked up only one point from a possible nine following losses to Sparta and AC Milan and a draw with Lille in France.
Lennon, speaking to the Evening Times, said: “Jullien and Elhamed are in contention to start.
“We must endeavour to try and win the game. Our away record in Europe has been pretty good. We take all the positives from that and bring it into this game.
“We have to win to stand any chance of qualifying. That’s our sole focus now. The reverse game here was as disappointing as we’ve been for a while and it’s important we motivate ourselves to correct that.”
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Sparta Prague v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
