HAMILTON ACCIES boss Brian Rice has been hit by a devastating series of blows as he prepares his squad for the visit of champions Celtic for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off.
The under-siege Accies gaffer will be with TEN players due to a combination of injuries and coronavirus-related issues..
Marios Ogkmpoe (knee), Will Collar (knee), Shaun Want (thigh), David Templeton (groin) and Lewis Smith (hamstring) are absentees while goalkeeper Ryan Fulton sustained a knock against Livingston in midweek.
Rice will also be missing four through Covid-19 – Scott Martin, Nathan Thomas and Ross Callachan. Another player remains unnamed.
Skipper Scott Brown, who limped off just before the second period of extra-time in the Scottish Cup Final shoot-out success on Sunday, should be fit for the champions.
The 35-year-old midfielder missed the 2-0 win over Ross County with a groin problem and Neil Lennon will also be hoping Shane Duffy will recover from a hamstring strain.
Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack will again be missing for the Premiership pacesetters as they play host to Hibs at Ibrox.
The Scotland midfielder was scheduled to make his return from a persistent knee injury against the Leith outfit, but is still not ready for action.
George Edmundson and Jordan Jones are free to play having served a seven-game ban for breaching Covid rules, but long-term casualty Nikola Katic (knee) is still out.
Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano is a major doubt after tweaking his hamstring in the midweek win over St Mirren and being replaced by on-loan Queens Park Rangers’ Dillon Barnes.
Christian Doidge is definitely ruled out through suspension after his late red card, joining Stevie Mallan (knee), Sean Mackie (thigh), Jamie Murphy (hamstring) and Scott Allan (illness) on the list of absentees.
Aberdeen forward Connor McLennan will have an X-ray on a foot knock ahead of the visit of St Johnstone. The Scotland Under-21 international went off at half-time during Wednesday’s draw with Motherwell.
Ross McCrorie is suspended while Dylan McGeouch (groin), Mikey Devlin (ankle), Marley Watkins (hamstring), Tomas Cerny (knee) and Scott Wright (hernia) remain out.
The Perth outfit will be without Michael O’Halloran after his red card in the 3-0 loss to Steven Gerrard’s side. However, Jason Kerr could be back after completing his suspension.
Dundee United have close to a full squad ahead of the clash with Motherwell after boss Micky Mellon reported no problems after Wednesday’s 2-0 home win over Kilmarnock.
Fir Park keeper Trevor Carson is close to a return following a knee injury while Jordan Archer is likely to be in No.1 position against the Tayside outfit.
Kilmarnock’s Brandon Haunstrup will return after suspension against Livingston who are likely to welcome back midfielder Marvin Bartley after his recent ban.
New Livi gaffer David Martindale reported no fresh injuries after the midweek victory at Hamilton.
Ross County striker Ross Stewart is a doubt to face St Mirren after coming off early on in his side’s 2-0 loss against Celtic in midweek.
Boss John Hughes will assess other problems while Regan Charles-Cook (hamstring), Connor Randall (back), Charlie Lakin (thigh) and Tom Grivosti (hamstring) have missed recent games.
Paisley defender Brandon Mason, on loan from Coventry City, is suspended after his red card against Hibs.
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