The international break couldn’t have come at a worse time for Neil Lennon.

As the biggest game of his newest reign as Celtic manager approaches on Sunday, the gaffer’s witnessing an unnecessary defensive crisis all the sudden.

After Kieran Tierney recent pulled out of Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifiers, Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig also suffered knocks in their respective games for Belgium and Norway. With the Old Firm derby now only days away, it’ll be a race against time for Celtic’s defensive core to recover in time.

While the players will themselves will obviously be doing all they can in regaining fitness to provide befitting revenge to Rangers, rushing too hard could further aggravate their injuries. Indeed, without these three, Lennon could be facing some big problems, which is quite the conundrum.

Steven Gerrard’s side posses a scary attacking line, despite their current struggles and a loss at home might not blow the title race open, but would see the campaign end somewhat sourly.

Boyata’s been vital to maintaining a strong defensive core for the Hoops, while Tierney’s and Lustig’s knowledgable figures are required to keep Rangers’ menacing wing-play in check.

Lennon can only afford to pray to the footballing gods to help his crucial defenders recover before the crunch encounter. If they fail to do so, not being able to dominate the game won’t be Celtic’s only headache.

The Gers might actually end up running riot at Parkhead and pulling off an unthinkable double to dent Lennon’s plan of extending his managerial reign.

Celtic fans, do you think the Hoops can cope without their defensive trio against Rangers? Join the discussion by commenting below.