Kolo Toure looks set for Celtic debut

Kolo Toure could team up with young Irish defender Eoghan O’Connell to make his Celtic debut against FC Astana in the Champions League tonight, with manager Brendan Rodgers insisting a start for the 35-year-old would not be a gamble.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender teamed up with his former Liverpool boss last week but sat out the first leg of the third qualifying round in Kazakhstan, which ended 1-1, and Saturday’s 3-1 International Champions Cup defeat to Barcelona in Dublin as he worked on his fitness.

Rodgers is short on defenders, with Erik Sviatchenko still out with a groin strain and Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic both working their way back following respective hamstring and knee injuries.