Celtic midfielder Mika Baur faces a nervous wait after limping off during Sunday's 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock, with manager Martin O'Neill confirming the Germany under-21 international will undergo a scan on Monday.
The playmaker suffered a knock to his ankle in the closing minutes at Rugby Park, leaving his availability for Germany's upcoming fixtures against Belgium and Croatia in doubt.
O'Neill anxious over Baur's fitness
O'Neill admitted the club is in the dark over the extent of the problem, with the player currently receiving treatment.
He said: "He's in the treatment room. His ankle is really sore and we don't know the damage. We'll wait until tomorrow to get a scan. Gosh, I'd hope he won't be out terribly long but I don't know at the moment."
The Celtic boss praised Baur's contribution despite his lack of physical stature, adding: "He's been great for us considering he's not the tallest. He'd be about ten stone – maybe not even that – but his work-rate is incredible. His overall reading of the game is really good and he's not frightened."
Win restores four-point lead
The narrow win restored Celtic's four-point advantage at the top of the Premiership heading into the international break, following a defeat to Falkirk and a draw with Dundee United.
Liam Scales scored the winner, while Benjamin Nygren missed a penalty that would have made the result more comfortable. O'Neill acknowledged the difficulty of the afternoon, saying: "I was pleased to win. It was a tough afternoon. We could never put the game to bed and Kilmarnock were always in it. They played exceptionally well at times."
Hogh's drought continues
Striker Kasper Hogh saw his goal drought extend to 15 games after a first-half effort was ruled out for a foul by Baur in the build-up, with VAR overturning the decision. O'Neill said he had not seen the incident properly, noting: "I haven't seen it back because the little screen is too small for me to see it. The lads thought it was touch and go."
Despite the frustration, O'Neill backed the forward, saying: "I thought Kasper was off the mark for about 35 seconds and he didn't. I think he would maybe have scored the next chance if the first had counted but he worked really hard for us."
Hogh was substituted before Celtic's penalty, but O'Neill joked: "Had he still been on the field I wouldn't have asked him to take it – he might have missed!"
Jota's return and squad rotation
Jota made his first start in 18 months but was replaced at half-time by Yang Hyun-jun, who returned from injury. O'Neill explained: "That was Jota's first start, and I didn't expect him to last. I said to him before the game, 'I don't expect you to go the whole way, and we'll see how it is at half-time,' but I just thought he was getting tired the last 10 minutes, particularly chasing back, and Yang was ready to go."
The manager also confirmed that £6m winger Haissem Hassan was left out of the squad rather than injured, as part of managing the squad. O'Neill said: "We're trying to do as much as possible manoeuvring. I think it'll be great for places. If there is proper competition for places it can only make it better."
