Team news: Celtic v Astana (H)

Celtic will look to see off Astana on Wednesday night and progress to the play-off round of the Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have a slim advantage after the first leg courtesy of Leigh Griffiths’ away goal on 78 minutes.

Defensively the Hoops rode their luck at times in Kazakhstan but ultimately deserved a draw for their efforts.

A win will secure European football until Christmas, but fans will always be hoping to reach the group stages of the premier competition after a two-year absence.

The game will be overseen by Romanian official Istvan Kovacs, who is only 31 years-old.

He has refereed ten Europa League fixtures in the past and has plenty of experience in his domestic league having officiated in 182 Liga I matches.

Celtic

Erik Sviatchenko and Nir Bitton will miss the second leg as the former hasn’t recovered in time from a groin injury and Bitton is still suffering from an ankle injury he suffered at the weekend.

Stefan Johansen returns to the squad after being omitted following the birth of his child and Kolo Toure has also been included in the squad and could make his debut.

Dedryck Boyata is out once again with a hamstring injury but could feature against inter Milan on August 13th.

Gary Mackay-Steven is continuing his recovery from a foot operation during the offseason.

Jozo Simunovic is still recovering from knee surgery that he underwent in March and has returned to light training but is still short of match fitness.

Scott Allan isn’t is the squad as he is set to join English Championship side Rotherham on a season-long loan to get more first-team football.

Kristoffer Ajer is playing for the Under-20’s tonight (Tuesday) against Annan Athletic and won’t be in Wednesday’s squad.

Astana

Club captain Tanat Nusserbayev was ruled out of the first leg with a knee injury and will also miss Wednesday night’s game.

Midfielder Nemanja Maksimović has also been ruled out through illness.