Manchester City vs Celtic - Fernandinho banned for Celtic clash

Posted Tuesday, December 06, 2016 by PA

Manchester City are without midfielder Fernandinho through suspension for Tuesday's final Champions League Group C game against Celtic at the Etihad Stadium.

The midfielder, who is also awaiting a three-match domestic ban, was sent off for two bookable offences at Borussia Monchengladbach a fortnight ago.

Striker Sergio Aguero could feature before he serves a domestic ban, but forward Raheem Sterling (knee) is doubtful and captain Vincent Kompany (knee) still out.

Midfielder Fabian Delph could return after a groin injury, while goalkeeper Willy Caballero looks set to feature.

Pep Guardiola is planning changes for the clash, which is effectively a dead rubber in Group C. City are assured of the runners-up spot while the Scottish champions cannot climb off bottom.

The City boss said: "There will be changes tomorrow, definitely. I am so happy to give minutes to people who deserve to play and who did not play in the last games.

"It is a good test for us. It is perfect to play them in the last game. I didn't expect to do it already qualified."

Celtic have defender Erik Sviatchenko and striker Leigh Griffiths back available.

The pair missed the 4-3 Scottish Premiership win over Motherwell on Saturday due to illness, but boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed they have both recovered.

On-loan Patrick Roberts is able to feature against his parent club, but ex-City forward Scott Sinclair (hamstring) and Kieran Tierney (ankle) remain sidelined.

Rodgers has described the contest as a "big game" that is important for his side's ongoing development.

Celtic come up against a City outfit who are fourth in the Premier League after their 3-1 home loss to Chelsea on Saturday.

And Rodgers, whose Liverpool team fell just short of winning the Premier League title in 2013-14, said of his opposite number, ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola: "I think it is just going to take Pep that wee bit of time to impose the game he wants.

"He really is a top-class manager, and has proven that - but the Premier League is different. He won't have had before the level of competition that's in the Premier League."