Rapid Vienna v Celtic preview

Bhoys seeking final flourish in Europa League

Last updated: 17th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rapid Vienna v Celtic preview

Mowbray: Set to make changes

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Celtic will field several fringe players as their European campaign comes to an end in Austria.

Tony Mowbray's Bhoys dropped into the Europa League after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Arsenal in the final qualifying round.

They have not been able to make the most of their second chance and will bow out of the competition regardless of how they fare against Rapid Vienna.

Celtic have picked up just five points from five games in Group C and no longer have any chance of catching either Hamburg or Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Vienna are one point further back and Celtic need only to avoid defeat to finish third in the standings and salvage pride.

There is little else to play for, except for boosting Scottish football's co-efficient, and Mowbray will take the opportunity to rest some of his established stars.

Others will get a rare opportunity to impress, so the likes of Paul Caddis, Chris Killen, Niall McGinn, Koki Mizuno and Willo Flood could all feature.

Paddy McCourt (groin) and Lee Naylor (abductor) are out of the match at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Chinese midfielder Zheng Zhi is ineligible and long-term absentees Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney are still out.

Vienna, who drew 1-1 in Glasgow, will be without defensive midfielder Markus Heikkinen.

Goalkeeper Helge Payer is also doubtful for Peter Pacult's side, who are currently top of the Austrian league.

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