Celtic have been reduced to their bare bones in central defence of recent, with the pair of Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko currently on the treatment table.
Dedryck Boyata is the only regular first-team centre-back available for selection, with right-back Mikael Lustig and squad player Nir Bitton manager Brendan Rodgers’ only other options.
The Belgium internationalist started the campaign on the injury sidelines, and is hoping to maintain a top level of fitness in order to be available all-campaign.
With his eyes fixed on playing at next year’s World Cup, Boyata is hoping his performances can convince national team boss Roberto Martinez of his worthiness of a spot in the final squad.
The defender made the matchday list during Belgium’s last qualifiers, but was on the substitutes’ bench all-game.
While maintaining that impressing Martinez is paramount and pertinent, Boyata has revealed that playing his best football for Celtic is of greater priority.
He revealed ahead of the league midweek clash against Aberdeen: “The World Cup would be a dream. But for myself it is step by step.
“I have been in this position before, talking about things that could happen, and then I got injured.
“It’s just step by step, thinking about what is coming up this week.
“Roberto Martinez has been very happy with what I am doing here. The national team is another story. There are other players, good names, but it is step by step.
“It is always a good thing for me to be with the national squad because I can think back to the two months behind me when I was on crutches.
“When you get there, you want to play. But to do that I have to play well here first.
“The Champions League could help, but I don’t really think that way. For me, it is first about playing here, then playing well and then going to the national team and waiting for a chance. We will see what happens.”
