Ange Postecoglou faces a red tape race for Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi to be included in his plans to face Rangers.
The Hoops signed the duo earlier this month and they have been training with their new-team mates for weeks and adjusting to their new surroundings. However, despite being registered with their new club, clearance doesn't come through until after January 1 meaning any involvement at Ibrox will come against the clock.
Tomoki Iwata has also signed on the dotted line but he was 'zero' chance of playing with the midfielder still in Japan. Postecoglou has been handed a major fitness boost over Greg Taylor but Sead Haksabanovic misses out for Celtic. The Parkhead gaffer said: “Tomoki is in Japan so there is zero chance he will play. With Alistair and Kobayashi, they are available like everyone else.
READ MORE: Neil Lennon gives Rangers v Celtic score prediction and difference between his side and current crop
"I will make those decisions. We still have a couple of days of training and have got two or three injuries, but the rest of the squad is in good condition and has been playing well. So it will just depend on the decisions I make.
"We also still have to wait until international clearance comes through. Although they are registered with us, clearance doesn't come through until after January 1. If their clearances come through, they are available and will be in consideration."
Both Celtic and Rangers have won four from four since the return from the World Cup shutdown.
Michael Beale will be aiming to reduce the gap to six points in front of nearly 50,000 Rangers fans in Govan, but the Hoops know they can take a huge stride forward at this early stage of the season by increasing the gap to 12 points with a win across the city.
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