CELTIC will be without midfield double-act Aaron Mooy and Tomoki Iwata for the visit of Hibs to Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou will not take a risk with the Australian or Japanese aces who will watch the action against the Edinburgh side from the stand.
Their omission will open the door for the likes of Matt O’Riley or David Turnbull.
The Hoops gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, explained: “Aaron Mooy has been a bit sore the last couple of weekends, so he probably won’t be able to get up for it.
NO WAY THROUGH…Matt O’Riley is denied in the Viaplay League Cup Final with Tomoki Iwata looking on along with Ibrox duo Tod Cantwell and Ben Davies.
“Tomoki Iwata got a bit of a back strain in training yesterday and couldn’t train today. At a push, both could have played, but with a two-week break, we decided to leave them out tomorrow.
“Daizen Maeda had a small issue, but he’s fine, Carl Starfelt is fine, as well.”
The Swede was taken off at half-time in last weekend’s 3-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final win overt Hearts at Tynecastle with Yuki Kobayashi, signed in January, making a rare first-team appearance as his replacement.
The former Vissel Kobe left-sided back-four operator eased into the middle of the rearguard and put in a more than competent performance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Gregg Taylor, who were left out of the USA and Scotland squads amid injury concerns, will face the Leith side.
