Jota has been forced to miss Celtic's game against Kilmarnock due to the artificial surface, Ange Postecoglou appears to have confirmed.

The winger has been a standout player for the champions this term but was conspicuously absent when the official teamlines were released ahead of the SPFL Premiership match in Ayrshire.

Hoops boss Postecoglou confirmed in the build-up to kick-off at Rugby Park that he had made alterations to his squad based on the artificial pitch, telling BBC Sportsound that "both pulled up sore last time we played here".

He added to Sky Sports: "[It's a] combination... there's a couple of boys who this pitch doesn't do a great deal for so we've decided to leave them out.

"But it's also to bring some fresh legs in. Tomoki, Haksa and Yuki have all been working hard in training and I think we're going to need some energy today. Hopefully those three can bring that for us."

In their places came Yuki Kobayashi and Sead Haksabanovic, with Tomoki Iwata replacing Aaron Mooy - who made the bench - the only other change to the starting XI.

Celtic Way:

When asked about injuries during Friday's pre-match press conference, Postecoglou replied: "We still have training tomorrow but it is pretty much the status quo. Put it this way, the guys who were injured last week are still unavailable.

"They are edging closer but none will make it back for Sunday."

Anthony Ralston, Liel Abada and Reo Hatate notably missed out in last week's Glasgow Derby win over Rangers but the former made the matchday squad for the trip to Ayrshire. It is his first time in a squad for almost a full month.

Kilmarnock team: Walker, Mayo, Taylor, Wright, Chambers, Armstrong, Donnelly, Watson, Murray, Vassell, Doidge. Subs: Hemming, Dorsett, Alebiosu, Power, Lyons, McInroy, Jones, Robinson, Wales

Celtic team: Hart, Johnston, Kobayashi, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Iwata, O'Riley, Maeda, Kyogo, Haksabanovic. Subs: Bain, Mooy, Turnbull, Oh, Bernabei, Summers, Ralston, Welsh, Vata.

Celtic Way:

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