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Daily Record
Sport
Peter Davidson

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as Giorgos Giakoumakis appears missing but Josip Juranovic puts in the graft

Celtic welcome sixth placed St Mirren to Parkhead on Wednesday night as Ange Postecoglou's side look to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

The Australian manager looked on while his players put their final touches ahead of the game against Stephen Robinson's men who turned them over when the sides met in Paisley in September. The Hoops have a perfect record in the league at home this season, played 10, won 10, so it is going to be tough task for the Buddies who have not won since defeating Aberdeen on Christmas Eve.

During his pre-match press conference earlier today Postecoglou revealed that Sead Haksabanovic, Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy are all back in contention after returning to training. Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who is close to sealing a move away from Parkhead with J League side Urawa Red Diamonds likely to pay around £3.5million for his services, wasn't spotted at training.

Here's what Record Sport spotted from the session at Lennoxtown:

Postecoglou plotting

Ange Postecglou during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to keep the pressure on second placed Rangers and revealed in his press conference he will be making changes for the game against St Mirren. He was seen ordering his players about during a training session at Lennoxtown earlier today. Speaking about the semi-final win over Kilmarnock, he said: "It's fair to say the conditions and the game itself took a fair bit out of the boys, so there will be some changes. I guess the pleasing thing for me is guys who have been out recently - Haksabanovic, Ralston, Welsh and McCarthy - are all training and available. Alistair Johnston is good now after not starting the weekend's game. I feel it's a good one to freshen up the team."

Ralston back

Anthony Ralston back in training at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston has been out of action for a number of weeks so it will be good news for fans to see the Scotland international resume training. With Croatian right-back Josip Juranovic wanted by clubs around Europe, including Monza in Serie A and English Premier League side Southampton, after his performances at the World Cup the return of Ralston is good timing for Postecoglou.

Juranovic putting in hard graft

Josip Juranovic during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

The full-back may be a wanted man but he is still putting in the hard work at Celtic training ahead of the Premiership game with St Mirren tomorrow night. Juranovic started on the bench for the Hoops in the New Year clash with Rangers, however he was soon called upon after Greg Taylor picked up an injury. Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston was picked ahead of him for the league game against Killie but he regained his spot for the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday where Celtic booked their place in the final after defeating Derek McInnes' men 2-0.

Forrest keen to impress

James Forrest during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

Winger James Forrest was spotted putting a shift in during the training session in East Dunbartonshire today as he looks to secure a starting spot tomorrow night. Postecoglou revealed he will shuffle his pack for the game so the winger may be in line for a start as he looks to add to his goal tally this season. With the Scotland internationals not too far away as well Forrest will be wanted to impress boss Steve Clarke ahead of the Cyprus and Spain games at Hampden in March.

Kobayashi in the mix

From left to right: Oliver Abildgaard, Liel Abada, Carl Starfelt and Yuki Kobayashi (SNS Group)

Yuki Kobayashi has yet to make an appearance for Celtic since signing a five-year deal with the club, however he could be in line for some minutes at Parkhead this week. He faces stiff competition with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt holding down places at centre back for the Hoops. Kobayashi was spotted training with Starfelt so it might be a sign that he may get a call up to the starting eleven for the St Mirren game.

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