---
title: "Celtic: Ange Postecoglou not expecting anyone back for St Johnstone"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-ange-postecoglou-not-expecting-anyone-back-for-st-johnstone/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-12-25T14:10:04Z"
modified: "2021-12-25T14:10:04Z"
---

# Celtic: Ange Postecoglou not expecting anyone back for St Johnstone

**Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has told [Sky Sports](https://twitter.com/ScotlandSky/status/1474054945531781122) that it is ‘unlikely’ he’ll have any of his injured players back against St Johnstone.**

### The Lowdown: St Mirren struggle

The Hoops failed to back up their [Hampden Park triumph](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59705941) in the Scottish Premiership after being held to a surprise [0-0](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59662090) draw with St Mirren.

[Celtic updates!!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-20/)

Postecoglou was [without](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59662090) Joe Hart, David Turnbull and hero Kyogo Furuhashi from the League Cup final, while Carl Starfelt was suspended.

Celtic failed to make a breakthrough despite having [31](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59662090) shots and [83%](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59662090) possession, with St Mirren missing [11](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59662090) players due to Covid-19. That result leaves the Hoops [six](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/table) points behind rivals Rangers, with one final game before the winter break.

### The Latest: Sky Sports post

[Sky Sports](https://twitter.com/ScotlandSky/status/1474054945531781122) shared an interview with Postecoglou on Twitter ahead of the trip to St Johnstone, which is available to view [here](https://twitter.com/ScotlandSky/status/1474054945531781122).

The Hoops manager was asked if there were any further updates on those who missed St Mirren and if they would be available for Boxing Day, to which he said:

> “Unlikely with the short turnaround. We might get one or two but at this stage I think it’ll be a similar sort of team that went out last night.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375302″\]

### The Verdict: Worrying…

Celtic struggled without top scorer Furuhashi and the creative Turnbull, and it appears as if they could be without them once more in what is a crucial game prior to the winter break.

They won’t want Rangers’ lead to stretch any further ahead of their meeting on February 2, meaning they’ll need to find a way to score despite being without a [number](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10302921/KRIS-COMMONS-Celtic-injuries-mean-Postecoglou-fighting-title-hand-back.html) of attacking players.

Liel Abada was used in a [central](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/celtic/2352) position against St Mirren but didn’t have a single [shot on goal](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/celtic/2352), so perhaps Postecoglou will tinker with his setup.

He could use attacking midfielder Tom Rogic in a false nine role, as he did recently against Motherwell with [Turnbull](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/david-turnbull/leistungsdaten/spieler/345760), which would then allow Abada to return to a natural wide role. Postecoglou doesn’t have many options, though, with Celtic desperate to get back to winning ways on Sunday.

***In other news: [‘Get that done in January’ – Celtic pundit buzzes at transfer insider’s Parkhead update.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-mcavennie-makes-carter-vickers-claim/)***