Petta worries about getting into Hoops first team

Celtic winger Bobby Petta insists his biggest worry is winning back his place in the first team - not whether Martin O’Neill signs a new contract.

The Dutchman has been plagued by injury and was forced to spend eight games on the sidelines this season.

His hopes of a comeback took a blow when a red card for lashing out at Aberdeen’s Nicolas Fabiano in an under-21 game landed him a ban for the following game against Kilmarnock last month.

It was O’Neill who gave Petta the chance to play regularly for the first team and he insists he wants to see the Celtic boss pledge his future to the club.

But, while the Parkhead faithful wait with bated breath to find out the outcome of O’Neill’s contract talks with the Celtic board, Petta claims he will be focusing on his own career.

He said: “We all know what the manager has done while he’s been here but the players should keep going and I’m just trying to focus on my own game.

“From a personal point of view, it was him who gave me my chance to establish myself at the club and I hope he decides to stay and sign a new deal.

“But, you never know what’s going to happen and, for me, my main objective just has to be getting back into the team.

“From the club’s point of view, they want him to stay here but it’s up to the manager if he wants to wait until the time is right.”

Petta took part in Celtic’s opening league games against Dunfermline and Aberdeen, as well as their Champions League qualifier against Swiss side FC Basle at Parkhead.

But he admits those displays left a lot to be desired and knows he must now prove he is worthy of his place in the first team.

He added: “When I came back this season and played the first three games, I was still trying to find my way.

“I knew myself that I wasn’t at my best and that I could do more than what I was showing.

“Then I didn’t play and Alan Thompson did well against Rangers so I’m just working hard and fighting for that spot again.”

Although Petta has picked up a thigh strain, he is hopeful of being fit enough to take part in Sunday’s game against Hearts.

But he admits he does not know if his red card from the under-21 game means he is still in O’Neill’s bad books – revealing that the Celtic boss did not speak to him about the incident afterwards.

He said: “The manager didn’t say anything to me after the sending-off – not a word.

“I don’t know how to take that but I know that I was in the wrong.”

Hoops goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has suffered a new blow by picking up a calf injury.

He had hoped to be fit enough to be available for Sunday’s game but now expects to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.

He told Swedish newspaper Expressen: “I was prepared to be in Celtic’s squad against Hearts this weekend then I was injured in yesterday’s training.

“Now I am off for at least another month.”