Bellamy to sit out Celtic game

NEW on-loan Celtic striker Craig Bellamy will not play in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Dunfermline due to the plastic pitch at East End Park.

The Hoops trained on the controversial synthetic surface yesterday and manager Martin O’Neill will not include the Newcastle forward in his squad.

O’Neill said: “Craig Bellamy will not play on Sunday due to the plastic surface. The operations he has had in the past would preclude him from playing on this surface.

“If all goes well, he will definitely be involved next week against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.”

The Welsh international was expected to go straight into the team following his move from Tyneside.

But O’Neill, who has previously voiced concerns over the artificial surface at Dunfermline, does not want fans travelling to Fife expecting to see the 25-year-old make his debut.

Earlier, O’Neill had revealed his misgivings over the effect the pitch could have on the striker with his previous injury problems.