Celtic have received a timely injury boost ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premiership clash with league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle.
The fixture could prove decisive in the title race, and the Hoops have been handed encouraging news with Hearts set to be without captain Lawrence Shankland.
Sky Sports have confirmed the Scotland international will miss the match after suffering a hamstring strain, an injury expected to sideline him for between six and eight weeks.
Shankland’s absence is significant given he is currently the league’s leading scorer with 11 goals. Hearts will also be without Cammy Devlin, who is facing a similar spell on the sidelines with a lower leg injury, while midfielder Beni Baningime is suspended for the first of a two-match ban following his red card against St Mirren.
With several key players missing for the hosts, Celtic will see an opportunity to make ground at the top of the table. Victory would cut the gap to three points, while any dropped points could see the Hoops lose further ground as the title race intensifies.
Martin O’Neill’s side must also balance domestic ambitions with European commitments. Celtic travel to Italy on Thursday to face Bologna in the Europa League, where they currently sit 24th in the league-phase standings.
A positive result would keep qualification hopes alive and set up a decisive final group match against Utrecht on January 29.
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