Celtic could face a selection headache next season after dates of the Asian Cup were confirmed.

Organisers finalised dates of between January 12 and February 10 2024 for the tournament to be played after it was postponed in 2023.

The matches had been scheduled to take place in China but the country pulled out over Covid-19 concerns.

Now, with the dates confirmed, a potential issue has arisen for Celtic with a number of first-team players in line for call-ups to represent their respective countries.

The SPFL previously stated that the Scottish Premiership break would take place from January 3 to January 19.

It means a number of Celtic players could be away on international duty when domestic action resumes - which could leave Ange Postecoglou with a selection headache.

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Australia's Aaron Mooy could head to the tournament, while new boy Oh Hyeon-gyu will be aiming for a spot in South Korea's squad.

Celtic also have a number of Japan hopefuls with Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi all desperate for call-ups.

That takes the current count to a possible seven absentees with Yosuke Ideguchi another outsider for a call-up having been shipped out on loan this term. Should Ideguchi return to Celtic and land an unlikely call-up then the total could rise to eight.

The Asian Cup scheduling throws up a potential fixture nightmare for Celtic - but the club could request postponements if more than three players are on international duty.

SPFL rules state that clubs can ask for a postponement when three or more players who would ordinarily be involved are unavailable through international commitments.

Rule G7 reads: "A Club shall be entitled to apply to the Board for the postponement of any Official Match where three or more of its Players who would otherwise have participated in such match are unavailable through international selection and, following receipt of such an application, the Board may postpone and rearrange the relevant Official Match in accordance with Rule G3."

However, postponements could cause problems of their own with rescheduled matches potentially leading to increased midweek action for the club.

Who could be called up for Asian Cup duty? 

Japan: Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata, Yosuke Ideguchi (currently on loan).

Australia: Aaron Mooy.

South Korea: Oh Hyeon-gyu.