O’Neill to play rested Celtic stars in Stuttgart

MARTIN O’NEILL will bring back his rested stars for Thursday’s UEFA Cup return leg in Stuttgart – but he has promised those bowing out more opportunities before May.

The Celtic manager made 10 changes to the side which beat the German side 3-1 at Parkhead last week, but those who came in did a good enough job to beat St Johnstone and book their place in the fifth round of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

Only Paul Lambert survived the two games, but he looks set to be joined again in the starting 11 this week by Robert Douglas, Bobo Balde, Joos Valgaeren, Neil Lennon, Stilian Petrov, Alan Thompson, Didier Agathe, Chris Sutton and Shaun Maloney. With Celtic still aiming for trophies on four fronts, the Irishman has told them that all his squad will be needed before the end of the season: “I was concerned because I wanted to get through the game. The most important thing was that we are still involved in all the competitions. We have not been knocked out, so the changes worked and it’s important to use the full squad as best as we can.