Huge battle for injury-hit Bhoys

MARTIN O’NEILL warned his depleted Celtic side they would face a “big ask” to beat Barcelona tonight even if they were at full strength.

But the Bhoys were already without John Hartson, Liam Miller, Johan Mjallby, Ulrik Laursen and Shaun Maloney for the last-16 UEFA Cup tie at Parkhead and now they can add three more injury doubts to that list.

Striker Chris Sutton has been ruled out as the ankle injury, sustained against Teplice in the last round and kept him out of the Tennent's Scottish Cup victory over Rangers, has failed to respond to treatment.

Boss Martin O'Neill also has major doubts over defenders Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren, who were both unable to train yesterday.

Valgaeren was forced to miss out due to severe cramp and Balde, who has the better chance of recovering in time, has been struggling with a knee injury.

"We are a wee bit stretched at this minute, but I'm looking forward to the game."

O'Neill was as ever the optimist but even he was talking in a manner that would suggest Sutton and Valgaeren will definitely miss out and Balde has just an outside chance.

"It's not too good really," he sighed.

"Chris would be struggling for tomorrow. His injury hasn't responded yet and is taking a bit more time.

"We are all a bit disappointed none more so than Chris but that's the way it goes.

"Going into a game like this, it is a problem and to pile woe on woe Joos and Bobo didn't train with the team today. Bobo might be okay, but Joos has a bit of a problem.

"He came off against Rangers with what we thought was a severe cramp, and we are hoping that it still is.

"He is feeling the effects because it was a big game after being out for a fair length of time.

"Bobo has got a knee problem but knowing him he will play."

Celtic missed Sutton in Sunday's Tennent's Scottish Cup victory over Rangers with Henrik Larsson, who eventually scored the winner, asked to play up front alone.

"It's a massive blow," conceded O'Neill.

Youngster Craig Beattie came on for his senior Old Firm debut in the second half and was then substituted again.

But the Celtic boss has promised the 20-year-old will definitely play some part against the men from the Nou Camp.

"I hope the game won't be too big for any of us," said O'Neill.

"It's a great fixture for us, and we'll get on with it. I would be feeling in a lot better shape with Chris and Bobo there, but it's an opportunity for other people to step up and show what they are capable of doing."

Beattie in particular has an opportunity to show he is up to the task but O'Neill already appears in no doubt that he is.

"Over the next couple of seasons, I would hope that he won't have too much to prove to me. He has good capabilities," said the manager.

"If you are asking me whether I would have any concern about throwing him into the game tomorrow then I'm quite sure the way things are going that Craig Beattie will take the field at some stage."

O'Neill admits he would gladly accept a draw to take to the second leg in Spain.

"I thought on Sunday we looked a little bit leggy, and there's no doubt about it that the loss of key players doesn't help," he said.

"But we should throw tiredness out of the window and get on with it.

"It is a game to savour, and the fans have queued up. The enthusiasm is there, regardless of who's in the team.

"In normal circumstances this is a difficult game, but the way things have transpired it's even more difficult.

"But I can't emphasise enough how much I am looking forward to it. We are not frightened.

"If it meant keeping us in the tie I probably would take a draw to give us more of a chance of people being fit."

After a bad start to the season, Barcelona have recently beaten Valencia, Deportivo and Real Mallorca.