International stars could be forced to miss rescheduled Old Firm clash

Celtic and Rangers face playing February’s rescheduled Old Firm game without a host of their key players due to international commitments.

The SPFL announced on Wednesday that the game originally set to be played on January 2 will now be played a month later on February 2.

Most non-European nations will be involved in international competitions that same week meaning many of the expected starting eleven could be missing.

The Hoops could be without league cup final hero Kyogo Furuhashi, who is due to play a vital World Cup qualifier for Japan against Saudi Arabia the day before, and Tom Rogic whose Australia side play Oman, also on February 1.

Ange Postecoglou has also been linked with moves for three other Japanese stars who could also be away on international duty if they are signed in January.

Meanwhile Giovanni Van Bronkhorst could be missing at least six players depending on results in the African Cup of Nations that will be into the semi-final stage by that date.

Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun could potentially be involved in AFCON if Nigeria are still in the competition.

And Colombia are scheduled to play Argentina on Tuesday, February 1, meaning Alfredo Morelos could also be unavailable if he is selected.

The Scottish champions could also be without Canada captain Scott Arfield and Jamaica’s Kemar Roofe who are both due to be playing World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Costa Rica on February 3.

The Old Firm game at Celtic Park on Wednesday, February 2, will also be a 7.45pm kick-off.