Celtic are facing a tricky Europa League squad decision, with Martin O’Neill needing to finalise his selection ahead of the knockout phase play-offs.
The Hoops are set to meet Stuttgart later this month for a place in the last 16, where Porto await the winners. Clubs must submit their updated 25-man squads by midnight on Thursday, February 5, and UEFA rules allow only three newly eligible players to be added after the league phase.
Celtic were busy in January, bringing in five loan signings: Julián Araujo, Tomáš Čvančara, Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur. However, at least two of those new arrivals will be left out of the European squad, leaving O’Neill with several tough choices.
Earlier in the campaign, Celtic used UEFA’s injury replacement provision to swap the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers for Callum Osmand. With both now ruled out for the rest of the season, that registration spot is expected to go to one of the winter recruits.
Alistair Johnston’s ongoing hamstring problem has kept him out for much of the season, and although a return in March is possible, he could be omitted to allow Mexico international Araujo to be included. Johnny Kenny’s loan move to Bolton has opened up another slot, putting Adamu and Mvuka in the frame for selection.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The winger was named in Celtic’s original league-phase squad but has struggled for minutes during a disappointing first season, raising doubts over whether he will keep his place.
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