Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson confirmed his side will face Celtic without defender Dylan Williams, who is sidelined for several weeks following a hamstring injury. The squad also continues to manage the return of midfielder Regan Charles-Cook, who will not be available for this fixture after being placed on a specific return-to-play programme. Despite these absences, Johansson reported that all players who participated in the September international break have returned to the club in perfect health.
For Celtic, the match carries significant weight regarding their position in the Scottish Premiership standings. A victory over Motherwell would propel the Hoops back to the top of the league table. Manager Martin O'Neill enters the contest under pressure following a challenging run of form leading into the international break, making the result critical for the team's standing in the early stages of the campaign.
Motherwell’s preparations come off the back of a busy international window, which saw goalkeeper Alex Paulsen log significant minutes for New Zealand, including a clean sheet against China and a penalty shootout performance against Panama. While several Motherwell players gain match fitness through these international appearances, the team must now adjust its lineup to accommodate the recent injuries sustained during training.
The match is scheduled for a 12pm kick-off and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Both clubs look to stabilize their form as they navigate this upcoming sequence of matches in the Premiership.