CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers has named his squad for the forthcoming Europa League campaign.
Five players from the pool for the Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty have dropped out, with four new signings coming in in their place.
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Three of the five deemed surplus to requirements are summer signings, while the other two have departed the club.
Brendan Rodgers had already left out Hayato Inamura from their Champions League qualifier, saying that he didn’t think he was good enough.
And now compatriot striker Shin Yamada has also been dropped from the European squad.
There’s also no place for Manchester City loanee Jamai Simpson-Pusey who hasn’t featured for the Hoops this season.
Young striker Callum Osmand, whom they signed from Fulham has also been removed from the squad.
Stephen Welsh who has joined Motherwell on loan and striker Adam Idah who made a switch to Swansea on transfer deadline day are also not included.
Rodgers has drafted in winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha who made his debut against Rangers following a £5million move from Antwerp.
Marcelo Saracchi who arrived from Boca Juniors on loan is also included.
And there are spaces too for Sebastian Tounetki – a transfer deadline day signing from Hammarby, and free agent Kelechi Iheanacho.
They managed to sign the former Leicester striker just before the Europa League deadline to register the squad.
Celtic have injury concerns over Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston, leaving Colby Donovan as they only recognised right back at the moment.
He is registered to play on the B list alongside a number of other young homegrown stars.
Celtic’s first test will be away to Red Star Belgrade in the new-look competition on September 24.
They then host Portuguese outfit Braga – whom former Hoops defender Gustaf Lagerbielke joined in the summer.
Austrian Bundesliga champions Sturm Graz travel to Celtic Park on matchday three on October 23rd.
Before two trips away to Hibs conquerors Midtjylland and Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord.
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Then they entertain Serie A giants Roma on matchday six on December 11th.
With further games against Bologna and Utrecht to complete the set of fixtures after the new year.
Celtic’s Europa League changes
OUT – CB – Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, CB – Stephen Welsh, ST – Shin Yamada, ST – Callum Osmand, ST -Adam Idah
IN – LB – Marcelo Saracchi, AML – Sebastian Tounekti, AML – Michel-Ang-Balikwisha, ST- Kelechi Iheanacho
FULL SQUAD – (does not include B-list)
GOALKEEPERS -Kasper Schmeichel, Viljami Sinisalo, Ross Doohan
DEFENDERS – Alistair Johnston, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Marcelo Saracchi, Dane Murray, Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney
MIDFIELDERS – Reo Hatate, Yang, Luke McCowan, Arne Engles, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, James Forrest
FORWARDS – Benjamin Nygren, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sebastian Tounekti, Johnny Kenny, Daizen Maeda
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