2 Celtic stars in Rangers red tape race to make debuts as Sead Haksabanovic is ruled out of derby

Johnston and fellow new recruit Yuki Kobayashi could play at Ibrox if their paperwork is rubber stamped in time.

Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi are facing a red tape race to be able to make their Celtic debuts.

The two new signings during the World Cup break and have since trained with their Hoops teammates with a view to being ready to roll against Rangers at Ibrox on Monday. Manager Ange Postecoglou says they are fit and available, but the paperwork process could yet scupper any plans to give either a baptism of fire in the New Year derby clash.

Players signed outwith the transfer window can’t be registered to play until it opens on Sunday. Signings from overseas must receive international clearance from FIFA, which Postecoglou explained can’t happen until after January 1. With the champions due across the city on Monday, January 2, Johnston and Kobayashi will be hoping the bureaucrats get the afterburners on and rubber stamp their moves in time for the blockbuster meeting in Govan.

One new face won’t be involved however, as Postecoglou gave a pre-derby update. He said: “Tomoki is in Japan so there is zero chance he will play. With Alistair and Kobayashi, they are available like everyone else.

"I will make those decisions. We still have a couple of days of training and have got two or three injuries, but the rest of the squad is in good condition and has been playing well. So it will just depend on the decisions I make.

"We also still have to wait until international clearance comes through. Although they are registered with us, clearance doesn't come through until after January 1. If their clearances come through, they are available and will be in consideration."

There are no fresh injury concerns for Postecoglou after the 4-0 demolition of Hibs in midweek. However, he is down one forward option with Sead Haksabanovic being afforded extra time to recover from injury so as not to risk him breaking down again.

“In terms of the other night, everyone has pulled through that OK,” said Postecoglou. “Sead Haksabanovic will probably miss Monday. He had a scan and it’s nothing serious and he has been training, but not at 100 per cent. So we are going to give him a chance to get up and running and just miss this game. Tony Ralston is still a bit sore so he will miss Monday as well.”

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