By support

3rd Aug, 2016 | 9:56pm

Senior Celtic player could head for exit door after omission, Euro giants reportedly keen

By Alex Taylor

Efe Ambrose could be heading for the Celtic exit door after being axed from Brendan Rodgers’ squad for the Champions League qualifier against Astana on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old centre-back was overlooked for the match, which Celtic won 2-1 to clinch the tie 3-2 on aggregate and send the Hoops into the Champions League play-off round.

Rookie centre-back Eoghan O’Connell, 20, was promoted into the team and partnered Mikael Lustig, while debutant Kolo Toure was on the bench and came on after 61 minutes.

Rodgers’ team selection suggests Ambrose’s time at Parkhead is drawing to close after four years.

The Daily Record have previously reported that 43-time Superleague winners Olympiacos are interested in bringing the Celtic centre-back to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium for a fee of £1million.

Ambrose has fallen down the pecking order at Parkhead after former Liverpool boss Rodgers reunited with veteran centre-back Toure.

The player, who signed for the Hoops four years ago from Israeli side F.C. Ashdod, has earned 51 caps for his national side, as well as making 166 appearances for Celtic since his 2012 arrival.

The Bhoys number four made 31 appearances for the Scottish Champions in 2015-16, but is considered expendable with just 12 months remaining on his Celtic Park deal.

Rodgers has spent his money wisely in the transfer market so far, spending just £1million on three players. Along with the free transfer of Toure, the Hoops have brought in Fulham’s teen sensation Moussa Dembele and Norwegian youngster Kristoffer Ajer.

In other Celtic transfer news, this first-team quartet have been ruled out of the Hoops’ upcoming Champions League tie.