von Jenson » Mi 28. Jul 2010, 16:03
Hinkel not on Celtic's Champions League squad list
Andreas Hinkel is not eligible to play against Braga on Wednesday, despite travelling to Portugal with Celtic and training on Tuesday night.
Andreas Hinkel (far right) trained with Celtic in Portugal on Tuesday night, despite being unavailable to face Braga. Pic: ©SNS Group
Andreas Hinkel has been left off Celtic’s squad list for their Champions League game with Braga, despite travelling with the squad to Portugal and training with the side on Tuesday night. The German right-back has just one year left to run on his contract and revealed last Wednesday he had been told to consider any offers to leave the club.
Uefa confirmed to STV Sport on Wednesday morning Hinkel’s name was not on the 25-man roster, raising suspicions the former Sevilla player could be on his way out at Celtic Park in the near future.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has instead added Milan Misun’s name to his pool, providing cover to the left-back position. Charlie Mulgrew is expected to start in Portugal, with Cha-Du-Ri playing on the right.
South Korean international Cha was recruited over the summer to provide competition for the right-back spot, while Mark Wilson, Paul Caddis and another recent arrival, Mexican Efrain Juarez, also available to take Hinkel’s place.
Hinkel spoke out a week ago, claiming Lennon had told him to consider his options if another team came in. “The manager has talked about the players with just one more year left,” said Hinkel. “He has spoken to me about that.
“I know I have just one more year and if there is an offer or something else I have to think about it, but so far there is nothing.”
HINKEL'S CELTIC FUTURE IN DOUBT
* Hinkel told to consider offers to leave Celtic
With Paul McGowan having moved on loan to St Mirren and Paul Caddis left out of the squad ahead of a possible switch to Swindon Town, Celtic could fill only seven of the required eight spots for homegrown players in their squad for Braga.
For that reason, former Motherwell right winger Paul Slane was chosen to fill the eighth slot. Richard Towell, Cillian Sheridan, James Keatings and James Forrest were also included. But, as they are all aged 21 or under, they were included on List B, which doesn’t form part of the 25-man squad.
Celtic’s Champions League squad for the third qualifying round match with Braga:
Goalkeepers: Lukasz Zaluska, Dominic Cervi.
Defenders: Jos Hooiveld, Cha Du-Ri, Mark Wilson, Milan Misun, Charlie Mulgrew, Glenn Loovens, Thomas Rogne, Darren O’Dea.
Midfielders: Efrain Juarez, Aiden McGeady, Simon Ferry, Scott Brown, Joe Ledley, Marc Crosas, Ki Sung-Yeung, Richard Towell, Shaun Maloney, Pat McCourt, Paul Slane.
Forwards: Georgios Samaras, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Morten Rasmussen, Cillian Sheridan, Daryl Murphy, James Keatings, James Forrest, Gary Hooper.