CELTIC fans will have to wait until at least another fortnight before they see new Bhoy Jozo Simunovic in action in the Premiership.
The £5.5million signing from Dinamo Zagreb has played only one game since signing last month – the 2-2 Europa League draw with Ajax in Amsterdam.
Injury has sidelined the Croatian central defender and Ronny Deila will not risk him on Hamilton’s plastic surface tomorrow.
Simunovic will not be an option as Deila is forced to reshuffle his defence with Efe Ambrose banned after last week’s sending-off in the 0-0 draw against Hearts. Versatile Charlie Mulgrew is also ruled out, but will join up later with the Scotland squad for the two final UEFA 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Gibraltar.
Mikael Lustig could also drop out with the threat of a recurrence to his injury posed by the artificial pitch.
Dedryck Boyata, called up yesterday by Belgium for their European ties, could be partnered by Tyler Blackett, on loan from Manchester United. Under-19 skipper Fiacre Kelleher may come into contention.
Deila will overlook Simunovic because he reckons “there is still too much pain in his ankle.”
Looking at tomorrow’s tricky encounter against Accies, the Hoops boss said: “It’s very important we keep winning, but we want a performance out there.
“Lately, offensively, we have looked more dangerous. We’ve created a lot of chances and if we continue playing at that level we know we’re going to get results.
“It’s the same things every year and every week. We need to win and play well. That’s what we want to do. Whatever Aberdeen are doing, that’s up to them.
“We have to be consistent and get results and, in the end, we can be champions.”
