GRIFFITHS ON BRINK OF RETURN

LEIGH GRIFFITHS is poised to return from his calf injury for the opening Premiership game of 2016 against Partick Thistle at Parkhead tomorrow.

The top scorer has missed the last couple of matches with Nadir Ciftci deputising, but he has a chance of facing the Firhill outfit.

Defender Dedryck Boyata is out for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury while midfielder Stuart Armstrong hasn’t recovered from his back problem.

Ronny Deila is hopeful influential midfielder Kris Commons recovers from an ankle injury while long-term injured skipper Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew remain on the sidelines.

Jags gaffer Alan Archibald has doubts over Muzz Dumbuya (shoulder) and Callum Booth (shin) who picked up knocks during Wednesday’s 0-0 stalemate at Aberdeen.

Sean Welsh returns after suspension, but long-term injury victim Christie Elliott (back) will miss out.

Provisional Celtic squad: Gordon, Lustig, Ambrose, Simunovic, Tierney, Izaguirre, Bitton, Johansen, Forrest, Allan, Rogic, Commons, Mackay-Steven, Ciftci, Griffiths, Cole, McGregor and Bailly.