Dinamo Zagreb rocked ahead of Celtic Champions League clash as key man suspended after chucking toys out the pram

Brendan Rodgers takes his side to the Croatian capital next week for their next fixture in UEFA's premier competition

Mark Walker and Gavin Berry Live Sports Editor

11:11, 03 Dec 2024

Dinamo Zagreb's players react after losing during the UEFA Champions League, League phase - Matchday 5, football match between GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Borussia Dortmund at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Damir SENCAR / AFP) (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Dinamo Zagreb have been plunged into further disarray ahead of next week's showdown with Celtic after they suspended key Moroccan international defender Samy Mmaee for a breach of discipline.

The Hoops travel to Croatia in their latest Champions League game, but the hosts are struggling in their league after a defeat to ex Rangers man Rino Gattuso's bitter rivals Hajduk Split at the weekend, which has cast serious doubt on the future of manager Nenad Bjelica.

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Now they have been rocked by an outburst from Mmaee. The 28-year-old former Ferencvaros stopper - brother of former Celtic target Ryan who is now at Rapid Vienna - hit the roof when he discovered he wasn't included in the starting line-up for Zagreb's game last week against Borussia Dortmund, which they ended up losing 3-0.

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He was axed from their weekend game too and boss Bjelica has given no indication when the ten-times capped star, who only joined the club in the summer, will be back. He revealed: "There was a situation involving Samy that I didn't like.

"We will deal with it internally. Everyone at the club has been informed of what happened. There is no player on planet Earth who is more important than the club, especially at Dinamo. In a situation where we were struggling with injuries and fatigue anyway, there is no place for any player's ego."