Thompson blow adds to Celtic misery

Martin O'Neill admits he's worried abut how long Alan Thompson will be sidelined.

Thompson had to be stretchered off the park just four minutes into Celtic's pre-season 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ajax after challenging Hatem Trabelsi for the ball.

The incident looked fairly innocuous at the time, but Thompson was taken to hospital. Although x-rays show the bone isn't broken he now faces weeks on the sidelines.

He is certain to miss the opening game of the season against Dunfermline at Parkhead and O'Neill admits he is disappointed to see another player added to his injury list.

"He's gone over on his ankle and it's blown up quite severely," said O'Neill. "He went for an x-ray and the initial news from the doctor was that it wasn't too bad.

"It's not broken but it's still ligament damage and it's just deja vu for him - this time last year against Fulham it was exactly the same injury.

"We won't know until tomorrow how long he'll be out for.

"Pre-season is an occupational hazard - you have to get fit some way, you have to play the games and you run that risk of injuries, but there is no other way."

The defeat to Ajax comes less than a week after Celtic's 6-2 defeat at the hands of Werder Bremen - and O'Neill blames injuries for the Hoops' recent results.

He insists he is still looking to add to his squad ahead of their Champions League qualifier - but admits the biggest problem is finding players who can challenge for a place in the current squad.

"Of course, that would be very important and it would be nice to have them and we're striving to do so," he said.

"We'd like to have a few more in because we've lost Lubo (Moravcik). David Fernandez has done very, very well for us.

"When he gets used to the rest of the players and the surroundings, I think he will be a real asset for us.

"The problem is trying to get some decent players who are going to be not only additions to the squad but players who can take their place in the team and play competently."