Petrov the only worry for Celtic’s crucial clash

CELTIC star Stilian Petrov was still giving manager Martin O’Neill some concern yesterday as the midfielder battled to face Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night.

The Bulgarian needed 15 stitches inserted after suffering facial injuries after a collision with Livingston’s Marvin Andrews yesterday.

The 22-year-old’s face looked bruised and swollen as he reported to Parkhead for treatment this morning amid fears the injury could become infected.

But despite the player’s obvious discomfort and difficulty in speaking, the Celtic boss has told he will wait until the last possible moment for him to prove his fitness.

O’Neill said: ‘‘He was still very groggy and sore today, but it is early yet. It was a nasty injury that he took, but we will give him every possible chance to be fit.”

O’Neill, however, is still hopeful he will have all his players - except Johan Mjallby and Magnus Hedman - available for the arrival of the Spaniards.

The Celtic boss revealed that in-form wingers Didier Agathe and Steve Guppy were rested for the 2-0 win at Almondvale as Celtic now aim to stay in European competition beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years.

‘‘I don’t think there’s anybody too bad,’’ said O’Neill.

‘‘Alan Thompson complained about a hamstring problem before the game, but he came through with no problems.

‘‘I just rested Didier Agathe and Steve for the game and they will come in no problem on Thursday.’’

Celtic needed a Henrik Larsson double to take them to the top of the Scottish Premier League again.

The Swedish striker and Petrov will be the Glasgow side’s biggest threat to the Spaniards, but they also have Robert Douglas bang in form.

The goalkeeper admits recovering from his Old Firm nightmare was the worst time of his career.

The Scotland number one cost his side the points with two bad blunders against Rangers, but he felt some people reacted as if he “had murdered someone”.

But the former Dundee favourite has since been in superb form and capped his amazing transformation with a penalty save from Portuguese superstar Luis Figo and a late second-half stop from Eugene Dadi against Livingston on Sunday.

Douglas said: “That period after the Rangers game was the hardest part of my career so far.

‘‘It was a disappointing game for me, but you would have thought I had murdered someone by the reaction in some quarters.

‘‘As a goalkeeper you know you’re the last line of defence and when you make a mistake you’ve lost a goal.

‘‘But I’m pleased with the way I’ve responded since. I’ve been playing well and we’re back at the top of the SPL.

Meanwhile, Valencia will be without playmaker Kily Gonzalez for their opening second-phase Champions League match against Ajax.

The Argentine midfielder ruptured ligaments in his left ankle in an injury-time challenge from Valladolid’s David Aganzo during Valencia’s 2-0 win on Sunday.

An hour prior to the player undergoing an operation, Valencia officials said they feared the player could have sustained worse damage. “He could also have fractured or broken his left fibia. We will be having him fully examined,” said Valencia coach Rafa Benitez.

Gonzalez was whisked from the match to hospital where he underwent an operation.

According to club doctors, he is set to be sidelined for around three months. Gonzalez thus joins a club casualty list which also features compatriots Pablo Aimar and Fabian Ayala.

An alcohol ban around the Olympic stadium has been imposed on the AS Roma/Arsenal Champions League game tomorrow night.

Rome police ordered the ban for the second phase Group B fixture, although it will only concern small outlets around the stadium and not restaurants, hotels and other public establishments.