Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers plans to go strong against Buckie Thistle as he seeks his side to find a rhythm after their winter break.
But the Parkhead boss will not be able to call on new signing Nicolas Kuhn or star defender Cameron Carter-Vickers. The latter is set for talks over a new deal but is still working his way back from the muscle complaint which saw him miss the final two games before the break.
And Kuhn's ordeal on his mouth means he will not feature against the Highland League side, Rodgers said: “Nic will not be involved at the weekend as he has had a period out and then had an operation on his teeth so he has had a loss of strength in that, but he will be okay for Ross County,” The Premiership champions are also without Yang, Oh, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate with the quartet on duty at the Asian Cup for South Korea and Japan respectively.
So the door is open for Mikey Johnston, James Forrest and Liel Abada to start on the right against Buckie as the holders aim to swerve any shocks.