Celtic were back at Lennoxtown on Tuesday for their first training session since Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Ibrox, with one key figure notably absent. Camilo Duran, the club's top performer since his £6m arrival from Qarabag, was posted missing from the session, casting doubt on his availability for Thursday's Europa League opener against Ferencvaros and Sunday's Premiership rematch with Rangers.
Duran absence raises alarm
The Colombian's absence will set alarm bells ringing ahead of the Glasgow derby at Parkhead. Duran has been Celtic's standout player this season, but now appears a major doubt for the weekend. Manager Martin O'Neill must also decide whether to restore Viljami Sinisalo in goal after Sam Johnstone's jittery display at Ibrox.
Jota, crocked for the last 18 months, is edging closer to a return and has been earmarked for a comeback in early October, but he won't feature in European action after being left out of the Europa League squad.
Selection headaches across the park
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the Ferencvaros match as he serves the final game of his three-match UEFA ban, but could start against Rangers as O'Neill seeks a different approach to outsmart Derek McInnes. Swiss international Jordan Lotomba, who made a late Premier Sports Cup cameo, could make his first start on Thursday, with the ex-Feyenoord full-back potentially preferred to Kieran Tierney as O'Neill keeps one eye on Sunday.
Skipper Callum McGregor, who has been left carrying the midfield this season, will lead the team out as usual on Thursday. The club's failure to sign a direct replacement for Arne Engels has been highlighted as a major blunder.
Pressure builds for European response
Celtic are still reeling from their Champions League qualifying exit, a five-goal capitulation against LASK, and fans are scunnered after a sixth successive qualifying calamity. O'Neill knows two wins in four days would lift spirits and send Celtic into the international break with momentum, but he cannot afford another crushing defeat at home to Ferencvaros. The veteran boss must rebuild the feel-good factor that has evaporated since the Champions League exit and give fans something to be excited about in the Europa League.
