GORDON STRACHAN is almost Martin O'Neill-esque in his reliance on tried and trusted performers. The Celtic manager will be wary of the challenge from Dundee, who are second-top of the first division, in tomorrow's third round of the CIS Insurance Cup. Strachan's side, therefore, may not be drastically different to the one which lost to Hibernian on Sunday, but there could be a few changes.

The Herald runs the rule over the fringe players who may take centre stage at Dens Park.

MARK BROWN
Has made three appearances this season, the most recent against Spartak Moscow in the away leg of their Champions League qualifier, where he performed well despite possibly being at fault for the goal. He is likely to remain No.2 while Artur Boruc is at the club but may sense an opportunity after the Polish goalkeeper's dreadful gaffes at the weekend.

A strong display against Dundee, if selected, may give Strachan something to think about ahead of the visit of Dundee United on Saturday.

JEAN-JOEL PERRIER DOUMBE
Made his first appearance of the season at the weekend in the absence of the injured Mark Wilson and performed well. Impressed in his five outings last season, including scoring the winner in the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline. Signed a one-year contract at the start of the season, despite knocking back a permanent deal at the start of the summer. Offers pace and strength on the right or left flank and now has the chance to consolidate his place with Wilson out injured.

JOHN KENNEDY
Started the season as first-choice centre-half but picked up an ill-timed ankle injury after three games and has struggled to win his place back since. Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus are now the first-choice pairing and the big defender may have to wait patiently for his opportunity. Performed competently in his early season forays, though needs regular first team football to try and recapture the form of before his knee injury.

BOBO BALDE
Merrily counting his money in the reserves. So far out of the picture he is in another movie entirely. Hoopy the Huddle Hound has more of a chance of getting a game this season than the Guinean defender. He might go in the January transfer window. Then again, he might not. After all, the big defender is "the chief executive of Bobo Balde", as he chirpily informed Peter Lawwell, when the latter tried to persuade him to move to Sunderland.

DARREN O'DEA
An appearance as an extra-time substitute in the Spartak Moscow away leg has been the 20-year-old's only outing this season. Otherwise, it has been back to playing in front of three men and a dog for the reserves at the Shyberry Excelsior, following his high-profile breakthrough last season. Has the pedigree to play at the highest level, but is down the pecking order for a centre-half slot. Also offers cover at left back, though it's not his natural position.

JIM O'BRIEN
Impressed on a loan spell at Dunfermline last season and returned to Celtic full of hope. Touted himself as a possible understudy to Shunsuke Nakamura, but has not featured this season. If he fails to make an impact this season, then he may have to consider his future at the end of the campaign.

EVANDER SNO
Been used sparingly this season, mainly due to the rampant form of Massimo Donati, Scott Brown and, to a lesser extent, Paul Hartley in midfield. Being groomed as a long-term replacement for Neil Lennon, though his languid style does not seem to fit with Celtic's free-flowing game. At 20, he has time on his side. Offers strength, composure and dependability in central midfield.

JIRI JAROSIK
Was kicking down the door to get out of Celtic Park at the end of the last transfer window, but failed to find a club and is now in cold storage. Unlikely to play again after spilling the beans on Celtic to a Russian newspaper in the lead-up to the Spartak Moscow away leg. He would claim that he was never played in his preferred position. Little excuse for some of his ineffectual performances.

DEREK RIORDAN
The question is not so much why Riordan has not shone at Celtic, as why the club decided to buy him in the first place. Arrived at a time when Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady were vying for the left midfield slot. Maloney has now left, but McGeady's form has prevented him getting a sniff. Impressed in the 5-1 win over St Mirren a couple of weeks ago, when he started. May get his opportunity when fixtures start to pile up in the winter months.

CHRIS KILLEN
Clocked up six appearances this season, though has so far looked unlikely to replace Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink or Scott McDonald as first-choice in attack. A proven goal-scorer with Hibs and a robust physical presence, he is sure to get his opportunities this season, particularly with the club's heavy schedule of domestic and European fixtures.

MACIEJ ZURAWSKI
The ultimate enigma. Has now dropped behind Killen in the pecking order and looks a shadow of the player who scored 20 goals in his first season in Scotland. Was linked with a move back to Wisla Krakow in the last transfer window, but Strachan seems content to have him around in the hope that he re-discovers his form of old. Arguably the most natural finisher at the club, but seems stricken by a lack of confidence.