Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman today gave Martin O'Neill a timely boost by declaring that he was ready to return to action. The Swedish international returned to the training ground this morning after a two-month absence with knee ligament damage. With Robert Douglas on the sidelines with a thigh strain, leaving Javier Sanchez Broto the only fit experienced goalkeeper, Hedman has revealed that he could be back to face Dunfermline on Saturday.
“I don't really want to put a time-frame on my return,” he said. “But if everything goes well over the next few days then I could be fit for the weekend. I would be fit, but maybe not match fit or without as many training sessions as I would like, but I would play if I was asked. If training goes as well as I want it to go then I'll definitely be able to rumble again soon.”
It has been a season of frustration for Hedman, but amazingly he could now be in line for a place in the UEFA Cup final. He watched in sympathy as Douglas, whose season has also been interrupted by injuries, was forced out of the Old Firm match after just nine minutes, putting his hopes of Seville in jeopardy.
However, Hedman has praised the contribution of Broto who made only his fourth Hoops appearance in the 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon. “I had a bit of sympathy for Rab after having to come off so early, but that's just football,” said Hedman. “I thought we defended very well throughout the whole game. Javier didn't have all that much to do because everyone in front of him was working so hard,but what he was asked to do he did very well,” he added.
Filed by James Boylan.
