Hamburg v Celtic preview

Brown: Sidelined

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Celtic travel to Germany to face Hamburg in their must-win Group C Europa League clash.

The Bhoys sit rock bottom of the group with one point from three games and they need a win against Hamburg to have any real hope of qualifying for the knockout phase.

Hamburg secured a 1-0 victory in the first meeting in Glasgow a fortnight ago and they will be aiming to end Celtic's hopes with another victory over the Scots.

Celtic are missing midfield duo Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney, with the pair not making the trip because of injury.

Paddy McCourt is expected to start in place of Maloney, with Marc Crosas hoping to keep his place in midfield in the absence of Brown.

Domestic ban

Zheng Zhi is not eligible for the Europa League, but Stephen McManus is available again after serving a domestic ban.

Lukasz Zaluska will continue in goal as Artur Boruc continues his recovery from knee surgery.

Tony Mowbray is considering starting fit-again Marc-Antoine Fortune after he made a successful return to action as a second-half substitute last weekend against Kilmarnock.

Hamburg will give a late fitness test to Jerome Boateng after he picked up a knock last weekend.

The home side are still missing injured strike duo Paolo Guerrero and Mladen Petric.

Alex Silva, Collin Benjamin, Miroslav Stepanek and Bastian Reinhardt are all long-term absentees for Hamburg.