Returning Bhoys set to start against Villarreal

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan is set to use tomorrow night’s Champions League clash against Villarreal as an opportunity to reintroduce players struggling for form and fitness.

That should mean a return to the starting line-up for Aiden McGeady and Georgios Samaras, who both came off the bench during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Hibernian.

Celtic’s defeat against Aalborg in Denmark late last month has ensured Parkhead will be relatively subdued for a European match, as Strachan’s men were consigned to bottom place in the group.

Despite insisting tomorrow’s game is not meaningless, the Celtic manager has revealed he plans to use it with one eye on their ongoing title challenge.

Celtic are still four points ahead of Rangers in the league despite failing in their attempt to secure a 13th consecutive league win.

But they have a difficult few weeks ahead in the championship race.

They play in-form Hearts on Saturday and, after a trip to Falkirk, play Rangers at Ibrox and then Dundee United, who are third in the table.

McGeady, who has been troubled by tendinitis in the knee, made his first appearance for five weeks at Easter Road when he came off the bench in the 71st minute, after Celtic had gone 2-0 down.

Samaras was also brought on while Celtic were trailing in the second half and Strachan indicated he would give the Greek striker a start against the Spanish side.

However, the Celtic manager claims his starting team will be capable of beating Villarreal, who have already qualified for the last 16 and would need Aalborg to take something from Old Trafford to knock Manchester United off the top of the group.

Celtic are looking to pick themselves up from their defeat at Easter Road, which came after Artur Boruc badly misjudged John Rankin’s 45-yard strike for the opening goal.

Celtic legend Frank McGarvey has called for Strachan to drop Boruc.

McGarvey feels it is now time for Strachan to bring in number two keeper Mark Brown.

“Strachan has to drop him. He has no other option under the circumstances.

“Boruc has become a liability and you could see it coming at Easter Road.

“If Strachan doesn’t replace him with Brown then the problem will get worse — simple as that.”

Meanwhile, a £60,000 statue to Celtic’s greatest ever player ­ Jimmy Johnstone ­ is to be unveiled at Parkhead on Saturday.

The bronze memorial, designed by Scottish sculptor Kate Robinson, will be placed at the entrance to Celtic Park, next to a similar tribute to club founder, Brother Walfrid.