Kritoffer Ajer and Olivier Ntcham “aren’t ready” to be included in the Celtic squad to face FC Midtjylland as they
Ange Postecoglou confirmed the duo will sit out tomorrow night’s Champions League second round qualifier first leg at Celtic Park.
Ajer has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, with Newcastle United, Norwich City and AC Milan all linked.
But it is Brentford who are leading the race for the Norwegian international’s signature and are understood to be close to agreeing a deal to sign the centre back.
Ntcham looked set to be making his exit as well after a disastrous loan spell at Marseille during the second half of last season.
A move to Greek outfit AEK fell through and he looked set to be part of Postecoglou’s squad, at least for pre-season.
But he won’t be involved tomorrow night either as the Hoops take the first step in their attempt to reach the lucrative group stages of the competition.
The Celtic boss only wants to call on the members of his squad who are physically and mentally ready for the challenge, which he doesn;t feel Ajer or Ntcham are at this moment in time.
"I am picking players who are available and have both the physical and mental mindset to play, Postecolgou said.
"The ones who aren't listed are obviously not ready for what we need to encounter tomorrow night. My focus is on the guys who are on that list.
"There are so many moving parts at the moment that I am trying to be as disciplined as I can to focus on what's in my control because ultimately tomorrow night is the most important thing and I am focusing on people who are contributing to that."
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