Since the SPL decided to scrap the Reserve League Celtic's second string have had to travel far and wide in their quest for game time. Recent ports of call for Niall McGinn, Paddy McCourt, Koki Mizuno and co have included Toronto, Cork and Milton Keynes but they look set to garner some much needed match experience closer to home tonight in the Co-operative Insurance Cup third-round tie at Falkirk.
Forwards Samaras and Fortune are still on the injury list whilst Scott Brown is likely to be rested as he continues to recover fully from the ankle injury he sustained last season. Shaun Maloney and Andreas Hinkel are also in line for some time off after the recent punishing schedule.
Although the side will be missing many of the top names boss Mowbray's No.2, Mark Venus, insists that the Bhoys will be giving the tournament and their opponents, Falkirk, every respect as they take the first steps to defend the trophy that they won last season.
"Celtic want to win any tournament we're in." said Venus. "We want to retain the Co-operative Insurance Cup and we ought to have the capacity to do that. Maloney's been on the go with Celtic and Scotland and clocked up a lot of air miles. He looks tired as do some other players."
"Now's the time to use our squad." he continued. "We're monitoring Samaras on a day-by-day basis but his shin's worse than we thought. Brown has a weakness in his ankle and he needs to rest. Certain others need to rest as well."
Venus also advised Scotland boss George Burley that club and country would probably be best served by leaving Scott Brown behind when the Scots travel to Yokohama for the friendly match against Japan on October 10th. "This club is also behind the Scotland manager." he said. "We'll be willing to help whenever he needs us but are friendly internationals against Japan the kind where you take players who have niggling injuries? Surely you want to find out about other players you have at your disposal? That's the way you get a surprise or two."