Celtic squad revealed as Liam Scales steps up amid injury nightmare and punters hope latest rumour isn't true

They are back on home soil but Celtic will need to tangle with St Johnstone without many of their top stars.

Brendan Rodgers is dipping back into the transfer market before the window shuts next week as injuries ravage his squad, but those reinforcements won't come in time for today's meeting with the Saints. Steven MacLean's side have had a tough start to the season and will be hoping Celtic aren't in the mood for taking their 1-0 Viaplay Cup exit to Kilmarnock out on them.

There's a whole host of stars out for the Hoops. At the back, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh are all out long-term, leaving few central defensive options, and Reo Hatate is also sidelined with Yuki Kobayashi, whilst the likes of Oh Hyeon-gyu and Mikey Johnston are not yet fit. Liel Abada is the latest to be hit with online whispers of injury as the door opens for the likes of Liam Scales - thought to be on his way out of Parkhead earlier this summer - to stake a major claim.

One good piece of news is Alistair Johnston is back and set to be in Parkhead contention. Here is their provisional squad and how we think they could line-up, with some square pegs needing to be fitted into round holes.

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart

Benjamin Siegrist

Scott Bain

Defenders

Alexandro Bernabei

Gustaf Lagerbielke

Alistair Johnston

Liam Scales

Anthony Ralston

Greg Taylor

Midfielders

Tomoki Iwata

Matt O’Riley

Callum McGregor

David Turnbull

Odin Holm

Kwon Hyeok-kyu

Forwards

Daizen Maeda

Kyogo

Liel Abada

Sead Haksabanovic

Yang Hyun-jun