The international break is drawing to a close, perhaps not a moment too soon for Celtic fans.
While there's been undeniable delight surrounding Scotland's Nations League exploits, it's been difficult for those of a green and white persuasion to ignore the steady stream of reports indicating injury problems are mounting at Parkhead. These breaks are tough times for club managers, who must simply sit and wait to see how returns unscathed, hoping their phone doesn't ring with too much bad news over the fortnight.
Ange Postecoglou is set to address the media ahead of his side's return to Premiership action against Motherwell on Saturday. But, until then, there's lingering uncertainty over a number of players. Some were injured pre-international break, while others have picked up knocks while off representing their respective homelands. Here's what we know about each of them on Wednesday morning.
Daizen Maeda
The forward was withdrawn just 45 minutes into Japan's first outing of the international break and it was reported he did not train ahead of their second match. Sure enough, Maeda was not involved at all for the goalless draw with Ecuador but the exact circumstances of his injury remained unclear.
However, it was noted he was present in the stands on Tuesday, which perhaps suggests his exclusion was merely precautionary given it's likely a more serious problem would have resulted in the player returning to Glasgow for treatment as soon as possible.
Sead Haksabanovic
There were collective groans around the green half of Glasgow when Haksabanovic became the latest Celtic star to be subbed off due to injury on what had already been an anxiety-inducing international break.
The forward was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge during Montenegro's clash with Finland, one that left him in such discomfort he was withdrawn just a few minutes later.
Giorgos Giakoumakis
Reports over the weekend indicated the striker had gone for a scan on a leg injury sustained in training, and he was nowhere to be seen for Greece's 1-0 defeat to Cyprus on Saturday. Manager Gus Poyet later said Giakoumakis had a "50/50" chance of facing Northern Ireland in their final Nations League fixture.
The forward was absent again on Tuesday night and, afterwards, Poyet revised his mildly optimistic pre-match assessment to something altogether more mixed. He said: “He had a small problem, and we couldn’t risk him. I don’t know how long. I think it’s not going to be long out, but if you ask me now, I don’t think he will play at the weekend in Scotland. So, he was not fit to play.”
Carl Starfelt
It's very much a case of playing the waiting game with the Swedish centre-back. Starfelt has been out since being forced off in the 4-0 drubbing of Rangers back on September 3, playing no part in either of Celtic's two Champions League outings nor the defeat to St Mirren.
Postecoglou didn't give too much away when last asked about his condition, simply insisting he expected Starfelt back post-international beak. He said: "We’ll just wait and see. He’s still in rehab, so we’ll see how he is potentially after the break."
Cameron Carter-Vickers
The centre-back's absence was keenly felt in Celtic's last outing - a 2-0 defeat at St Mirren where the champions lacked the characteristic solidity their influential American brings to the table. He was subsequently left out of the USA squad for World Cup warm-up matches against Japan and Saudi-Arabia.
US Soccer described the issue as "minor" but the Scottish Sun have since reported Carter-Vickers ' participation in this weekend's Premiership return against Motherwell is in "major doubt".
