Nakamura fails to make Celtic game

Celtic welcomed Benfica to Parkhead for tonight’s Champions League game in desperate need of a win to boost their Group D hopes.

The Scottish champions suffered defeat when the two teams last met in Lisbon a fortnight ago, leaving them bottom of the section.

However, spirits were high following Saturday’s win over Kilmarnock, which kept Celtic top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Manager Gordon Strachan named an unchanged side, with Shunsuke Nakamura, as expected, still out of action with a knee injury.

Benfica were also bolstered by victory in the league – a 2-1 win over Pacos de Ferriera – and named Nuno Gomes on the bench, after he missed the visit of Celtic with a thigh injury.

Celtic: Boruc, Naylor, Caldwell, Kennedy, McManus, Scott Brown, Hartley, Jarosik, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald.

Subs: Mark Brown, Zurawski, Riordan, Sno, Donati, Killen, O’Dea.

Benfica: Quim, Luis Felipe, Edcarlos, Luisao, Leo, Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Pereira, Binya, Rodriguez, Cardozo.

Subs: Butt, Zoro, Bergessio, Di Maria, Nuno Gomes, Nuno Assis, Adu.

Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden)