Hedman injury a blow for Celtic ahead of clash with Stuttgart
The Swedish international twisted his knee in training yesterday morning and has forced Martin O’Neill to rush Robert Douglas back into action.
The Scotland international has not played since December 21 after undergoing a double hernia operation.
Douglas’ rehabilitation has been hindered by a thigh injury, but tonight he will be thrust back into action early, with youngster David Marshall sitting on the bench as understudy with recent signing Javier Sanchez Broto ineligible to play.
Celtic will also be without suspended John Hartson and injured Henrik Larsson for the first leg, but O’Neill insists his side will cope: “We have had one or two problems and it would be great to have Johan Mjallby, Henrik Larsson and John Harston all available because they are good players.
“Hartson’s goal in the previous round was good enough to get us through to this round, but we will cope with it because we have to cope with it.
"The odds seem to be stacked against the Scottish champions, with O’Neill also absent from the dug-out following his dismissal against Celta Vigo in the previous round.
He was also forced to watch the 1-0 Champions League win over Porto at Parkhead from the stands last season.
“I assume it will be the same as the previous time,” said O’Neill.
“I might be frustrated, but it might be good for the players, because the last thing they want to see is a nervous wreck of a manager who is speaking nonsense.”
“If I wanted to say a few words I would say them on the coach on the way to the ground and then when I climb off the coach that will it.”
In Larsson and Hartson’s absence, O’Neill is considering handing youngster Shaun Maloney a start alongside Chris Sutton in attack after his recent run of good form.
He made a match-winning contribution against Livingston before producing a magical free-kick for the Scotland Under-21s last week.
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