Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed he expects to be without the services of five first-team players for the team’s trip to the Highlands.
The cinch Premiership champions head to Dingwall to face Malky Mackay’s Ross County as the Glasgow club look to take another significant step forward in their quest for back-to-back titles.
Winger James Forrest remains sidelined for the clash, while four other senior players at Parkhead are expected to miss out on the league fixture.
Anthony Ralston and Liel Abada are both likely to sit out the match after picking up complaints for their respective national teams during the international break, while Postecoglou revealed that the game will likely come too soon for two central midfielders.
Reo Hatate is also understood to be a doubt for the County match, although the Japanese player has returned to full training.
“Ralston and Abada picked up some injuries in camp so will probably miss a couple of weeks,” said the Greek-Australian.
“We will see how they develop.
“James Forrest is still out for a little bit of time. The other two are Aaron Mooy and Tomoki Iwata, who have stayed with us and they are touch and go for the weekend.
“We don't see them being too far away.”
Postecoglou added some kind words for club captain Callum McGregor, who gained his 50th cap for Scotland in Tuesday night's 2-0 win over Spain.
“I’m pleased for Callum firstly because I know how much it means for him to play for his country,” Postecoglou said. “As much as he is the captain of our club and the leader of our club, he just cherishes his national team representation.
“It was a big night for him, a big night for the team and a big night for the whole nation, I guess. It’s great because it builds belief in the whole group.
“I don’t think there is any doubt that Callum can perform at those levels but for him to do it with his national team is special.
“So you take great pride in that and we take great pride as a football club as well because he is our leader and he represents us on the national stage.
“I thought he was outstanding in both games, he played every minute.
“You saw in the last couple of minutes in the second game, he just has this real ability and determination to get every ounce out of his body, and that’s what he does every time he plays.”
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