CELTIC defender Shane Duffy was a shock inclusion for the Scottish champions' starting line-up for their fixture against Hibernian on Monday night - as assistant manager John Kennedy had already ruled the centre-half out of contention.

The on-loan Brighton defender left the winter training camp in the UAE early due to a family issue, and was expected to be left out of the matchday squad for the game against Hibs.

The National:

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Kennedy explained on Saturday: "Shane had a couple of personal things that he had to leave Dubai for, so we sent him back on that basis.

"Following protocols, he'll miss the weekend's game because he's left the bubble.

"He's been through one round of tests, he'll go through a second round before then returning to the bubble, which is normal protocol. Nothing unusual.

"From then on Shane will be in our thoughts in terms of games, but we just had to give him some time to sort some things out."

The National:

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Gavin Strachan, who took charge of the first team against Hibs, was asked before kick-off why Duffy had been included in the squad - revealing that the Irishman had tested negative for the virus, and was therefore available for selection.

The Parkhead coach replied: "He comes back in on the back of a negative test.

"He's back and ready to go."