Lambert could sacrifice final place

Paul Lambert is prepared to miss the Scottish Cup final as he battles to overcome injury in time for the Hampden showpiece.

The Celtic midfielder aggravated a stress fracture of the foot in the last Old Firm league game but is still hoping to line up against Rangers again on Saturday.

But Lambert says he does not want to deny anyone a place in the side unless he is certain he can come through the game.

He said: ‘‘I’ll know myself if I’m okay and I won’t kid anyone. If I think there is a chance and I can get away with it and it’s okay then I’ll see.

‘‘But if I know I’m nowhere near ready then it’s too big a game to say I am ready.

‘‘There are other guys wanting in there and it’s unfair on them and unfair on the club as well.

‘‘It’s a final but, if I don’t play, there are guys there who can come in and do equally as well so it’s fine that way.

‘‘It’s not about me, it’s the team who are more important, if I don’t play they have to go and win it.

‘‘If I don’t play and they win it, that’s fine, there is absolutely no problem.’’

Lambert claims he would have no qualms about Martin O’Neill turning to youth to plug the gaps left by injuries.

The Hoops boss gave several youngsters their chance against Hearts on Sunday and they repaid him by claiming a 4-1 win - teenagers Shaun Maloney and Simon Lynch grabbed a double each.

Lambert has been particularly impressed by young midfielder Colin Healy, who has just returned from a loan spell at Coventry and has performed well for the Republic of Ireland.

He added: ‘‘There were a lot of young kids playing against Hearts and every one of them did really well for us and 4-1 is a convincing result, it wasn’t just a scrape-by.

‘‘Colin Healy is a player I like. He has done really well breaking into the Irish team and now has the possibility of playing in the World Cup.

‘He went down there and did really well, went into the international team and held his own.

‘‘He is really assured but there are loads of players there who can come in with no problems.’’