Our Bhoys still confident, says Mjallby

Johan Mjallby insists the post-Liverpool slump suffered by Celtic will not weigh heavily on the players’ minds for the UEFA Cup semi-final against Boavista.

The Hoops have been defeated by Inverness in the Scottish Cup quarter-final and then drawn with Dundee since the glorious 2-0 win at Anfield almost three weeks ago.

But the Swedish international defender insists confidence is still high ahead of Thursday’s first leg against the Portuguese side.

He said: “What you have to remember is that playing us is like a cup final for these teams and the games against Inverness and Dundee proved that.

“It was always going to be a bit strange against Caley because we made so many changes and, although I was still sure we would win, I think that played a big part.

“Of course it raised a few eyebrows, but I suppose it’s one of those results that makes football so interesting.

“It was different on Sunday though because I didn’t actually think we played that badly.

“We have definitely played worse this season and still got the three points, but Dundee put a lot of bodies behind the ball and played well.

“In terms of confidence, I don’t really think it’s knocked us.

“We’re still up there, and I think we’ll stay on a high as long as we get a good result on Thursday night.”

Mjallby will be fit for the Parkhead clash despite taking a kick to his foot at Dens Park.

“The injury happened in the first half but it was nothing too serious,” he told www.celticfc.net.

“I just launched the ball forward and one of their boys came in a bit late and caught me.

“I actually didn’t feel too much at the time. It was just after the game that it began to swell up a bit, and that’s why I sat out training on Monday.

“But it’s feeling fine now and I’ll be okay for Thursday.”

But Hoops winger Steve Guppy could be ruled out for the remainder of the season after it was confirmed he must undergo surgery to repair a hernia in his groin.

The former Leicester player saw a specialist in Leeds along with club doctor Roddy MacDonald on Monday after feeling discomfort in the left side of his groin.

The club will allow Guppy a week to see if the injury settles after two weeks in rehabilitation.

If the rest does not do the trick, he will see the same Munich surgeon who treated Rob Douglas and Joos Valgaeren.

But Hoops striker Shaun Maloney could still play in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Boavista despite leaving Monday’s Under-21 game against Livingston on crutches.

The Scotland Under-21 international has suffered a minor injury to his Achilles tendon, but is expected to be fit.

Wing-back Didier Agathe suffered no reaction to his 75-minute run-out at Livingston on Monday after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring tear.

Goalkeeper Douglas will be a definite starter against Boavista.

The Scotland international was replaced by Javier Sanchez Broto in the 1-1 draw at Dundee on Sunday after he picked up a thigh knock with the national side.

Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hedman is progressing well after having a knee brace for four weeks.

Striker Chris Sutton has had his broken wrist placed in a lighter cast and the club are hopeful he will return to training later this week.

Meanwhile, Celtic have urged all supporters to arrive early at Parkhead for the game which kicks off at 7.05pm.