Ange Postecoglou has addressed the reason for Cameron Carter-Vickers' omission from the Celtic squad for the St Mirren game.

The USA international defender - as well as striker Giorgos Giakoumakis - was not included in the Hoops contingent for the Wednesday night visit of the Buddies to Parkhead.

Postecoglou told BBC Sportsound: "Cameron and Giakoumakis weren't available for tonight - they pulled up a bit sore after the weekend.

"But I was always going to freshen the team up and Yuki [Kobayashi] gets an opportunity tonight, he's worked hard over the last three or four weeks to get his fitness up."

Postecoglou confirmed Carter-Vickers' injury was not one that is expected to keep him out for a lengthy period.

"Neither is serious," he said. "We expect them at the weekend or the following weekend against Dundee United."

Giakoumakis has been the subject of much transfer speculation recently and did not make the squad for the match against Stephen Robinson's Saints.

Asked about the Greek's situation earlier in the week, Postecoglou said: "As I’ve said all along, we’re in a position now where we’ve done some good business so far, and the three boys that have come in have adapted really well, and I think they will contribute over the course of the season,” Postecoglou said.

“We’re in a position where we aren’t really being forced into doing anything, and as a coach, it’s the position I wanted us to be in.”

Celtic team: Hart; Johnston, Kobayashi, Starfelt, Juranovic; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Abada, Kyogo, Jota. Subs: Bain, Haksabanovic, Mooy, Turnbull, Iwata, Maeda, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh

St Mirren team: Carson, Gallagher, Shaughnessy, Dunne, Strain, Baccus, Gogic, Erhahon, Tanser, Ayunga, Main. Subs: Urminsky, R. Taylor, Kenny, Flynn, F. Taylor, Kiltie, Olusanya, Grieve, Brophy.

Glasgow Times:

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