ADAM MONTGOMERY is poised to make his first Celtic start in the Europa League Group G clash with Real Betis in Seville on Thursday night.
The teenager has made several substitute appearances this season and he was involved again in the 3-0 win over Ross County at Parkhead yesterday.
Greg Taylor was forced off with a recurrence of the shoulder injury that cut short his participation in the second leg of the play-off final in Alkmaar when Montgomery again deputised.
The Hoops kid was given the nod to come on shortly after the interval against the Highlanders when the Scotland international broke down once more.
Ange Postecoglou admitted it was a blow for the defender who will be assessed over the next few days.
The Greek-Australian gaffer, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “Greg had two weeks of rehab. but it looks like the same shoulder again.
HAND IT TO ME…Adam Montgomery celebrates with Cameron Carter-Vickers after the on-loan defender’s goal against Ross County.
“It’s a bit of concern for him that he’s re-injured it, but we’ll leave that to the medical people.”
Taylor missed the recent game at Ibrox when Postecoglou fielded right-sided Josip Juranovic in his place, but it didn’t quite work with the Croatia star, who had just arrived from Legia Warsaw, rarely overlapping on the left flank.
Montgomery came on late in proceedings and immediately restored the balance in the team.
That could be the key to the gifted youngster being in at the start against the Spanish cracks in the crucial section opener.
Juranovic made his Parkhead debut in his preferred position against the Dingwall outfit with Anthony Ralston missing out through injury, but Postecoglou is confident the Scotland Under-21 will be okay for Sevile.
He added: “Tony’s good, he’ll be available for Thursday. He’s been back in training for the last couple of days and will be ready to go.”
* THREE CHEERS AS AJETI HITS A DOUBLE
