Craig Gordon believes Eoghan O'Connell could be the answer to Celtic's defensive headache as they prepare to face Astana.

The Scottish champions are in Kazakhstan for the first leg of their crucial Champions League qualifier without key defenders after Erik Sviatchenko was ruled out with a groin injury.

With Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata already on the sidelines and new signing Kolo Toure still to get match ready, manager Brendan Rodgers is short of options.

Gordon backed O'Connell to shine if picked after the 20-year-old Irishman impressed in the International Champions Cup match against Leicester on Saturday. The young centre-back looked composed throughout and got on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.

"His last performance was exceptional," Gordon said. "He was one of our best players against the champions of England.

"So if you can come through that and look as good he did in that game, there is no reason why he can't step into a Champions League qualifier and perform just as well."

Celtic are up against a side who notched up home draws with Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray in the competition last season and Gordon was under no illusions about the difficulty of the task awaiting his team.

"It will be very difficult," he said. "This team qualified for the Champions League last season. They are definitely going to cause us problems.

"We have already had a look at some video footage and they have some very good players who can cause us problems on the counter-attack.

"They have some good qualities that we have to watch out for.

"We are going to have to defend very well at times and try to keep the ball so it is going to be a big test.

"But we have confidence in our own abilities."