Ange Postecoglou has explained the inclusion of Boli Bolingoli to his Celtic starting XI today.

The Belgian defender had seemingly played his final game for the club after his decision to travel to Spain for a daytrip last term - breaking protocols and not telling anyone about his jaunt.

That controversy forced the Hoops into some serious issues and then-manager Neil Lennon insisted that Bolingoli would not play for him again.

Postecoglou was open to all players having a fresh start after he took over and explaining Bolingoli's inclusion today, he told BBC Radio Scotland: "We've put Boli [Bolingoli] in because, to be fair to him, he's been working hard and waiting for an opportunity and he's got one today.

"Obviously it's great to get Liel [Abada] back in the side after he missed Thursday night and I've been a little bit cautious with James McCarthy because of his interrupted pre-season but he's been ready for probably the last couple of weeks to get a run so he starts today.

"[Stephen] Welsh comes back in because Carl [Starfelt] didn't fare well yesterday and missed training so we decided to leave him out."