FC Astana vs Celtic - Brendan Rodgers unfazed by Celtic's defensive crisis

Posted Tuesday, July 26, 2016 by PA

Brendan Rodgers has played down his central defensive problems ahead of Celtic's Champions League third round qualifier against Astana on Wednesday night.

Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko did not travel to Kazakhstan after picking up a groin injury last Friday, while 18-year-old Kristoffer Ajer is out with a hand issue.

The Hoops boss was already without long-term injured centre-backs Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata while new signing Kolo Toure remained in Glasgow to catch up on his fitness.

The often-criticised Efe Ambrose and 20-year-old Eoghan O'Connell, who scored against Leicester in the International Champions Cup at the weekend but who has yet to play in Europe, are the only two centre-backs available although Sweden full-back Mikael Lustig can also play there.

Despite the shortage at the centre of his backline, Rodgers remained calm.

"He's (Sviatchenko) been working well but unfortunately before the game at the weekend he picked up a groin strain which makes him unavailable," said the former Liverpool manager, who revealed midfielder Stefan Johansen did not travel due to personal reasons.

"We will assess that over the course of the next week and see if he can be available for the second leg.

"In these games it is always going to be the case of doing the very best that we could with the limited time and numbers that we have.

"But I am confident that whatever team we put out will do their very best, like we did in Saturday's game against Leicester."

Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov insists Celtic are favourites.

The Hoops play a club who are top of their domestic league and well into their season.

However, Stoilov, who confirmed captain Tanat Nusserbayev would be out for a month with a knee injury, claimed his side were underdogs against Rodgers' side.

The former Bulgaria player and manager said: "I know that Celtic play very well and is a very strong team. Celtic are favourites but we will try as much as we can and we will see what the result is tomorrow.

"They are favourites because they have big history at the club. They have been champions of Scotland many times and they have very many traditions.

"I have enough information about Celtic. I know the players, I know the coach, I know the history of this club. I know enough about the Scottish champions.

"Tomorrow is going to be a very hard game for us.

"We are going to play a defensive game. We are preparing very well, but we have problems. We will try to do our best."