SPL: O'Neill agrees to rest Valgaeren

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill will allow defender Joos Valgaeren to recover from a groin injury.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill will allow defender Joos Valgaeren time to recover from a groin injury.

Belgium coach Robert Waseige had claimed O'Neill was risking the player's World Cup hopes if did not rest him.

Valgaeren was forced to withdraw from the national squad for the friendly with Norway with the injury.

But O'Neill insists the Celtic medical team recognise the need for Valgaeren to take a break and recuperate from the long-standing problem.

"Valgaeren will indeed miss the Norway match as he is struggling with an injury and playing with some degree of pain," O'Neill said.

"We have been aware of the situation and the Belgian medical team has confirmed our diagnosis of an injury that requires a period of rest.

"We will reassess the situation on Valgaeren's return, but it is likely he will require to rest for a period of a few weeks.

"We will determine when that period will be after further assessment by our medical team on his return."