Skip to content

Kris Commons, Efe Ambrose and Kristoffer Ajer left out of Celtic's Champions League squad

Efe Ambrose in action for Celtic against Hearts at Tynecastle
Image: Efe Ambrose is out of favour under Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has left Kris Commons, Efe Ambrose and Kristoffer Ajer out of Celtic's Champions League squad.

Defender Jozo Simunovic and winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who are currently recovering from injury, have been included.

Three months' half-price Sky Sports
Three months' half-price Sky Sports

Watch live Premier League football, the Ryder Cup and F1

Celtic were permitted to name up to 25 players in their Champions League squad but Rodgers has elected to put forward just 24.

The Hoops face a tough task to qualify after being drawn in Group C alongside Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons returns to training next week
Image: Kris Commons will not feature in the Champions League for Celtic

Nigeria defender Ambrose's mistake led to Lee Casciaro's winner as Celtic fell to a shock 1-0 defeat by Lincoln Red Imps in their opening qualifier and he was omitted from the squad for the play-off against Israel's Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Commons has not featured this season, having had an operation for a back problem at the tail end of last term.

Kristoffer Ajer in action against Wolfsburg at Celtic Park
Image: Kristoffer Ajer in action for Celtic

Ajer, 18, arrived from Norway over the summer but is yet to make a start under Rodgers.

Also See:

Mackay-Steven is working his way back from ankle surgery while Simunovic has not played since suffering a knee injury in January.

Watch Sky Sports' derby day extravaganza on Sep 10 - Man Utd v Man City and Celtic v Rangers - as part of our three months half price offer.

Around Sky