Brendan Rodgers has played down his central defensive problems ahead of Celtic’s Champions League third round qualifier against Astana tonight.

Danish defender Erik Sviat-chenko did not travel to Kazakhstan after picking up a groin injury last Friday, while 18-year-old Kristoffer Ajer is out with a hand issue.

The Hoops boss was already without long-term injured centre-backs Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata while new signing Kolo Toure remained in Glasgow to catch up on his fitness.

The often-criticised Efe Am-brose and 20-year-old Eoghan O’Connell, who has yet to play in Europe, are the only two centre-backs available although Sweden full-back Mikael Lustig can also play there.

Despite the shortage at the centre of his backline, Rodgers re-mained calm.

“He’s (Sviatchenko) been working well but unfortunately before the game at the weekend he picked up a groin strain which makes him unavailable,” said the former Liverpool manager.

“In these games it is always going to be the case of doing the very best that we could with the limited time and numbers that we have.

“But I am confident that whatever team we put out will do their very best, like we did in Saturday’s game against Leicester City.

“I have no qualms about who I put into the game. The strength of us will always be the team rather than the individual and the team that we put out will hopefully get the result.”