Key Celtic players Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong have been ruled out of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership clash against Hibernian tomorrow (Saturday).
The Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers revealed at his media conference on Friday afternoon that central midfielder Brown and playmaker Armstrong would be sidelined for the match and were facing a “few weeks” out.
Celtic skipper Brown limped out during Celtic’s 3-0 Champions League win over Anderlecht in Brussels on Wednesday night with a hamstring injury.
Armstrong also sat on the sidelines in Belgium after complaining of a tigh calf.
The duo will now miss tomorrow’s Premiership match against Hibs as well as Scotland’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the clash against Slovakia at Hampden next Thursday and the final qualifier against Slovenia three days later as they seek to secure a play-off place.
Victories over Malta and Lithuania have raised hopes Scotland can beat their Group F rivals to claim a play-off place.
The Scots made a poor start to their campaign with only four points gathered in their first four group matches.
However, 10 points from the subsequent four games mean they will finish second behind leaders England should they win their next two.
Rodgers was fast to stress, as quoted by the official Celtic Twitter account, that neither injury is “overly serious” and their absences will not be lengthy ones.
? BR: "@ScottBrown8 and @StuArmstrong16 won't be available for a few weeks. Light strains so it’s unfortunate for us and @ScottishFA."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 29, 2017
? BR: "We don't think it’s overly serious but obviously it puts them out the game tomorrow and of course the international games."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 29, 2017
F/W’s view
Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong are two of Celtic’s more important players and they will be highly missed against Hibernian, managed by the combative ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon. Brown is particularly key as he sets the tone for Celtic with his uber commitment and never-say-die approach. Armstrong has failed to reach the heights of last season but is one of the team’s best technical players and is also a valuable source of goals from his central attacking midfield role. The absence of the pair gives Hibs a better chance of getting a result at Parkhead tomorrow.