Brendan Rodgers says it would not be right to take a gamble on players who aren't fully fit in their quest to qualify for the Europa League group stages.
Having been eliminated from contention in the Champions League, the Scottish champions now face a play-off tie with Lithuanian champions Suduva to reach the first round of the Europa League.
With European football vital to the Bhoys on and off the pitch, Rodgers says the players are determined to make sure they are in continental action up until the end of this year as a minimum.
However, despite being desperate to seal a spot in the group stages, Rodgers has opted not to recall Dedryck Boyata for the trip to Lithuania, even though the defender having returned to training.
Boyata has been seeking to leave Celtic Park this summer and questions were asked as to why he did not feature in the Champions League qualifying tie against AEK Athens.
Despite Boyata training again, Rodgers believes he's not ready to feature and has left him at home.
Jack Hendry and record signing Odsonne Edouard will also stay behind, Rodgers revealing that they were close to making the trip, only for the club to decide not to risk it.
"We're at a stage in the season where we can't afford to take any real risks on players if they're not physically right to be here," said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
"[Dedryck Boyata] has a problem with his back that he struggled with last week. Overall his fitness, in terms of being ready to come in, isn't there.
"If he doesn't feel right, and this is what we're gauging him on, then I can't afford to play him. I need the players who are going to be physically and mentally right for us because they're really important for us.
"Edouard is still recovering. He's working well and it'll probably be the beginning of next week. Jack Hendry played with a really sore ankle at the weekend and isn't available for the game."
Celtic are 4/11 to win Thursday's first leg in Lithuania, while Suduva are 9/1 and the draw is 7/2.
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Brendan Rodgers says it would not be right to take a gamble on players who aren't fully fit in their quest to qualify for the Europa League group stages.
Having been eliminated from contention in the Champions League, the Scottish champions now face a play-off tie with Lithuanian champions Suduva to reach the first round of the Europa League.
With European football vital to the Bhoys on and off the pitch, Rodgers says the players are determined to make sure they are in continental action up until the end of this year as a minimum.
However, despite being desperate to seal a spot in the group stages, Rodgers has opted not to recall Dedryck Boyata for the trip to Lithuania, even though the defender having returned to training.
Boyata has been seeking to leave Celtic Park this summer and questions were asked as to why he did not feature in the Champions League qualifying tie against AEK Athens.
Despite Boyata training again, Rodgers believes he's not ready to feature and has left him at home.
Jack Hendry and record signing Odsonne Edouard will also stay behind, Rodgers revealing that they were close to making the trip, only for the club to decide not to risk it.
"We're at a stage in the season where we can't afford to take any real risks on players if they're not physically right to be here," said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
"[Dedryck Boyata] has a problem with his back that he struggled with last week. Overall his fitness, in terms of being ready to come in, isn't there.
"If he doesn't feel right, and this is what we're gauging him on, then I can't afford to play him. I need the players who are going to be physically and mentally right for us because they're really important for us.
"Edouard is still recovering. He's working well and it'll probably be the beginning of next week. Jack Hendry played with a really sore ankle at the weekend and isn't available for the game."
Celtic are 4/11 to win Thursday's first leg in Lithuania, while Suduva are 9/1 and the draw is 7/2.
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Source: bet365.com