Bizarre Engels suspension mystery 'explained', Johnston injury update, Champions League history made - Celtic news bulletin

Arne Engels will reportedly return to Celtic after being released from international duty early - due to a quirk in UEFA rules meaning he is suspended for Monday's clash with France.

The Hoops' record signing made his international debut off the bench against Israel and was talked up by Kevin de Bruyne after his cameo appearance helped him over the line in a 3-1 Nations League win. Many of a Hoops persuasion had hoped to see him build on that with a runout against stronger opposition in Paris on Monday night, but it seems that won't be the case.

According to reports in Belgium, Engels is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards carried over from Belgium's U21 Euro campaign. The suspension, strangely, only applies to international games which take place within 24 hours of the U21s being in action - either the day before, the same day, or the day after.

That's why it didn't apply for the Israel game, but does against France, with the youth side in action on Tuesday night. It's reported Engels will report back to Celtic training early but he'll be clear to feature in the double header against Italy and the French in October after the suspension is served.

Elsewhere there's a minor scare where Alistair Johnston is concerned. The Canadian right-back started their clash with the USA on Saturday night but only lasted 25 minutes until he was forced off. US based SBI journalist Larry Henry Jr. however reports the injury 'doesn't look back' and is more of a 'precaution,' so all going to plan he should be in the running to start against Hearts next week.

And after Elena Sadiku led Celtic women into new territory, she told her players they will need to toughen up after making Champions League history. Goals from Shannon